Senegal have been hit with a £143,000 fine by FIFA due to the events in the penalty shootout between them and Egypt in the World Cup playoffs. The fans used laser lights to distract the players of the opposing team, which resulted in the AFCON winners rather unfairly sealing their spot at the 2022 World Cup.
FIFA have also ordered Senegal to play a future competitive game in an empty stadium with no fans allowed. The investigative committee of the governing body has reached the conclusion that Senegal as a whole ‘failed to ensure that law and order are maintained in the stadium’.
Senegal fined for offensive fan behaviour in World Cup qualifier
While it won’t change the result of the game that was played, the fine could cause Senegal to be more careful about the nature of their supporters from the next time. Mainly because their actions had a direct impact on the result.
Mohamed Salah blasted his penalty over the bar despite lasers being flashed all over his face – as revealed by the TV pictures of the game. Egypt would go on to lose the shootout 3-1, after losing the AFCON final to Senegal as well.
Egypt were also targeted by thugs prior to the game – with people attacking their team bus on the way to the stadium. Security guards had to protect the players who had to endure pelting from the ‘thugs’.
Several other African nations such as Nigeria, Congo and Liberia have also been hit with fines and stadium closure rules following the indiscipline in their World Cup qualifying fixtures.
