A former Arsenal head coach has sparked controversy with an explosive statement about Mohamed Salah’s future and FIFA’s alleged bias against African players.
In a passionate plea, the ex-Gunners boss insisted that Salah should remain at Liverpool while also calling out FIFA’s history of overlooking African footballers in major individual awards like the Ballon d’Or.
“I want him to stay at Liverpool—I told him myself! This is his club, this is where he belongs!” the former Arsenal manager declared. “But beyond that, there’s a bigger fight—we need to expose FIFA’s corruption and bias! After everything he’s done this season, if he wins the Premier League with Liverpool, he deserves the Ballon d’Or! If he doesn’t win it, then it’s clear as day—FIFA is racist and refuses to recognize African greatness.”
Salah’s Future Under the Spotlight
The comments come at a critical time for Liverpool and Salah, whose future has been a hot topic in football discussions. The Egyptian star has been linked with a possible move away from Anfield, with Saudi Arabian clubs and European giants reportedly interested in securing his signature. However, this strong endorsement from the former Arsenal manager highlights how vital Salah remains not just for Liverpool, but for football as a whole.
Since joining Liverpool in 2017, Salah has become one of the most consistent and prolific players in world football. He has won the Premier League, the Champions League, and multiple Golden Boots, cementing his status as a modern-day legend. Yet, despite his extraordinary achievements, individual recognition at the highest level—such as the Ballon d’Or—has continued to elude him.
FIFA’s Controversial History with African Players
The Ballon d’Or has long been criticized for favoring European and South American players, with only one African footballer, George Weah in 1995, ever winning the prestigious award. In recent years, Salah, along with other African stars like Sadio Mané and Riyad Mahrez, has been overlooked despite delivering world-class performances.
Salah’s best Ballon d’Or finish came in 2018 when he placed third behind Luka Modrić and Cristiano Ronaldo, despite leading Liverpool to the Champions League final and winning the Premier League Golden Boot. Many believe that had he been European or South American, he would have received greater recognition for his contributions to the sport.
A Call for Change
The former Arsenal coach’s fiery comments have reignited the long-standing debate about FIFA’s treatment of African footballers. His claims of racism within football’s governing body add to the growing frustration among fans, pundits, and even players who feel that African stars are consistently overlooked for the game’s highest honors.
With Liverpool locked in a tight Premier League title race, Salah has another opportunity to prove why he deserves football’s top individual prize. If he leads the Reds to another league title and is still ignored for the Ballon d’Or, the accusations of FIFA’s bias will only grow louder.
As the season reaches its climax, all eyes will be on Salah—not just to see if he stays at Liverpool, but also to see if FIFA finally gives African greatness the recognition it deserves.
