CAIRO: An Egyptian lawyer who seeks €1 billion in compensation from Sergio Ramos over his Mohamed Salah tackle said he wants to get the Spanish defender banned from the World Cup.
Bassem Wahba told Arab News that along with preparing a lawsuit against Ramos for the “physical and psychological harm given to Salah and the Egyptian people” he has filed a complaint to FIFA.
The attempt to seek some kind of justice for Salah’s shoulder injury, which could rule him out of the World Cup, is just the latest incarnation of the angry hysteria that has engulfed Egypt.
Ramos, who wrestled Salah to the ground during the Champions League final, in a tackle that caused him to land awkwardly on his extended arm, has become the lightning rod of Egyptian anger.
Amid the frenzy, some Egyptians have been thrust into the spotlight on talk shows and social media, each trying to outdo each other with their denunciations.
Even President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi was criticized by some for trying to seek political gain from the story after he posted on social media saying he was praying for Salah.
But in a country where many people face economic hardship and tough living conditions, Salah has become revered for his performances and his humble demeanour. The hope surrounding his involvement with the Egyptian team at the World Cup had energized the nation.
“The reaction of Egyptian fans might seem exaggerated, but such is the importance of Salah to the country that Egyptians can’t control their anger,” said Hatem Amin, a journalist based in Cairo. “Things were made worse by the fact that Ramos did not even apologize, he just wished Salah a speedy recovery without acknowledging that his challenge was reckless to say the least.”
Wahba claims to be leading a “wave of change” by preparing the complaint to FIFA and says his main goal is to alter the rules of sport’s world governing body to deal with malicious tackles and players.
But the lawyer, who usually works on cases in Egypt’s Court of Cassation and Supreme Constitutional Court, admitted that he was not even a football fan.
“I don’t follow football at all. I just followed this match to support Salah and Egypt,” Wahba said.
“He (Ramos) was such a thug in his deliberate action to injure Salah and that was the trigger for my actions,” Wahba said. “I just couldn’t it let it pass without punishment and that’s why I filed a complaint to FIFA immediately after the match.
“I only took the lead, however. Every single Egyptian is hurt and angry.”
Almost half a million people have signed a petition calling for UEFA and FIFA to punish Ramos.
The petition was started by Egyptian Mohamed Salah Abdel-Hakeem, who accused Ramos of “intentionally hurting” Salah, who left the pitch in tears.
“Today, it has become a nationwide issue and we will not rest until we get the justice of the Egyptian people,” said Wahba.
The lawyer stressed that Real Madrid is fully aware of the behavior of Ramos but encourages him to violate the spirit of the sport.
In the unlikely event that the lawsuit against Ramos goes ahead, and is successful, he would donate the money to the central bank’s Long Live Egypt fund.
Wahba claims to be in contact with Salah and his father and that they are supporting his initiative.