An Egyptian journalist Salah Montaser is at the centre of a Social Media storm after his “suggestion” that national team star Mohamed Salah should shave his beard which makes him look like a “terrorist” was roundly condemned across the North African country.
Montaser, a columnist with the state-run newspaper Al-Ahram, said Salah should shave his beard as it “puts him in one basket with extremists…. and terrorists.”
According to the Associated Press, Egyptian fans criticized the article on social media, saying facial hair is a personal choice and that people shouldn’t be judged on their appearance.
Salah is hugely popular in Egypt after helping the national team qualify for the 2018 World Cup as well as winning the CAF African Footballer of the Year.
He’s also the Premier League’s joint-top scorer, with Tottenham’s Harry Kane, with 24 goals this season. He is on one of the best scoring sprees in Europe’s big five leagues right now.
The Liverpool forward has grown in leaps and bounds since returning to the Premier League last summer after a hugely productive stint with Italian side AS Roma.
