Liverpool demand Mohamed Salah not used by Qatar for propaganda purposes at FIFA CWC

Liverpool's Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah reacts during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield. (AFP/File Photo)

• Egyptian media describing latest dispute between Salah and country’s FA as “crisis”
• Not first time Egyptian superstar has been embroiled in political storm

LONDON: Liverpool have sought assurances from Qatar that Mohamed Salah’s appearance at the Club World Cup tournament in the country will not be used for “propaganda purposes.”
The Premier League club feared Qatar would use Salah’s selection for the Merseyside club would be utilized by the regime in Doha, following Egypt and Gulf allies cutting off diplomatic relations with Qatar in 2017.
Liverpool’s concerns were lessened after being told that Mohamed Salah would be “treated in the exact same way” as his teammates.
As Champions League winners, Liverpool will play against other continental champion clubs in December to be crowned club champions of the world.
It is not the first time the Egyptian superstar has been embroiled in a political storm.
In September, Salah clashed with Egyptian FA after it was revealed the organization had not voted in the FIFA Best awards. It followed another saga involving the country’s authorities and Salah over his image rights.
Egyptian media are describing the latest dispute between Salah and his country’s FA as a “crisis,” with many in the country fearful of the talisman severing all ties and refusing to play for Egypt in the future.