Mohamed Salah is a legend of Liverpool and one of the best players in world football. The Egyptian King continues to be the subject of immense fanfare around the world.
Loved by millions, it’s not just Salah’s ability to wreak havoc on the pitch, but also his humble demeanor that has made him an icon and a lovable player.
Naturally, such a player inspires banners, chants, and tributes from adoring fans. However, one particular banner recently displayed during Liverpool’s Champions League match against Bologna caught attention for all the wrong reasons.
The match itself was another comfortable victory for the Reds as they continued their 2024/25 Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win, Salah sealing the deal with a second-half goal—his 45th in the elite European competition.
But it wasn’t just Salah’s on-field heroics making headlines; a peculiar banner seen in the stands drew confusion and even criticism.
The banner, which prominently featured a cartoon version of Mohamed Salah in a Liverpool kit, should have been a normal display of admiration.
The painting of Salah was front and center, along with the word “Kyiv” emblazoned across his chest in solidarity with Ukraine, a seemingly noble message.
But what left fans—and later, television viewers—baffled was the bizarre detail found in the lower-right corner of the banner: two camels in a rather compromising position.
Yes, you read that right. In what seemed like an attempt to evoke an Egyptian theme, complete with a sandy desert base and pyramids in the background, the addition of two camels apparently having s*x felt out of place and highly unnecessary.
It’s difficult to decipher why such a graphic image would be included in an otherwise innocent tribute to one of football’s most revered players.
The crass depiction overshadowed the intended message of solidarity with Ukraine and reverence for Salah.
Instead of celebrating the Egyptian star, the banner became a talking point for the wrong reasons, drawing the ire of many fans and leading to widespread mockery on social media.
This, shockingly, is not the first time the controversial banner has appeared. Back in 2022, during an FA Cup clash between Liverpool and Chelsea, the same banner was spotted on TV, sparking a similar reaction.
Viewers who tuned into that match were quick to notice the inappropriate depiction of the camels, and, much like this time, television operators swiftly cut away from the scene.
The BBC’s coverage had unintentionally aired the banner, but viewers were quick to freeze frames and share the image on social media, where it went viral.
Fans expressed their disbelief that such an inappropriate image was once again on display during a high-profile match.
The reappearance of this banner during Liverpool’s match against Bologna raises questions about stadium regulations. How did it get through security a second time, especially after the stir it caused in 2022?
It’s surprising that despite its notoriety, the banner wasn’t confiscated or flagged by security personnel. While stadiums generally enforce strict guidelines for fan-made signs.
Despite the controversy, Salah continued to shine on the pitch, scoring yet another goal to solidify Liverpool’s position in the Champions League. But off the pitch, his fans will be hoping for better judgment the next time they create a tribute to their hero.
