Mo Salah confident of World Cup fitness as €1bn lawsuit is filed against Sergio Ramos
Petition receives 459,000 signatories demanding action against the Real Madrid captain after Salah’s shoulder injury
Mohamed Salah believes he’ll be fit for next month’s World Cup but that hasn’t stopped one angry Egyptian filing a €1bn (£873m) lawsuit against Sergio Ramos.
The Real Madrid captain was the cause of Salah’s nasty fall during Saturday’s Champions League final and initially the prognosis was bleak for the Liverpool talisman. The left shoulder that bore the brunt of his fall, as Ramos grappled him to the ground, was thought to have ligament damage severe enough to sideline Salah from the World Cup.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said on the club’s website that the injury was “really serious”, but Salah subsequently told Egypt via Twitter that he was “confident” he would recover in time for their first World Cup match against Uruguay on 15 June. “Your love and support will give me the strength I need,” he added.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
There was a similar upbeat message from the Egyptian FA, which said Salah had suffered a sprain in the shoulder ligaments but they were “optimistic” he would be fit for Russia.
‘Ramos intentionally injured Salah’
Nonetheless, Egyptian lawyer Bassem Wahba believes Ramos needs to pay – literally – for his clumsy challenge on the Premier League Golden Boot winner, reports Goal.com.
During an appearance on national broadcaster Sada El-Balad, Wahba accused Ramos of a deliberate act that inflicted “physical and psychological harm” on the whole country.
He added: “Ramos intentionally injured Mo Salah and should be punished about his actions. I’ve filed a lawsuit and a complaint to Fifa.”
Asked what he hoped to obtain from his lawsuit, Wahba replied: “I’ll ask for compensation, which could exceed €1bn, for the physical and psychological harm that Ramos gave Salah and the Egyptian people.”
If the lawsuit is successful Wahba has promised to donate the money to Long Live Egypt Fund. A petition has also been launched on Change.org, demanding that Uefa and Fifa take action against Ramos for what he did to Salah. As of this morning it had received 459,000 signatories.
Egyptian press blame Saudi Arabia
Meanwhile, elements of the Egyptian press have blamed Saudi Arabia for what happened to Salah, claiming it’s all part of a dastardly plot by their World Cup rival. The two countries are in the same group and Turki al-Sheikh, the Saudi sports minister, has spoken in the past of his wish to see Salah “absent from the World Cup”.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'It may not be surprising that creative work is used without permission'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
5 simple items to help make your airplane seat more comfortable
The Week Recommends Gel cushions and inflatable travel pillows make a world of difference
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
How safe are cruise ships in storms?
The Explainer The vessels are always prepared
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
The 'Swiss model' shaking up the Champions League
In The Spotlight Uefa says the new format offers 'greater excitement' but critics say boredom is guaranteed
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The European Super League: a 90th-minute reprieve?
Why everyone's talking about A European court ruling has potentially breathed new life into the breakaway football league
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published
-
Has Liverpool been weakened by Jürgen Klopp’s ‘seven-year itch’?
feature After seven years at Anfield, critics are wondering whether his magic is wearing off
By The Week Staff Published
-
Uefa Champions League 2022-2023 guide: group stage draw and key dates
feature Liverpool face Rangers while Man City’s Erling Haaland has a reunion with Dortmund
By Mike Starling Published
-
Who is Darwin Nunez? The ‘modern striker’ signing for Liverpool
Why Everyone’s Talking About Portuguese club Benfica confirm a deal for the Uruguay international worth up to €100m
By Mike Starling Published