Swiss kiss spoiled Egyptian footballer's joy at being named player of the year

Switzerland’s best football player of the year is facing criticism from his homeland in Egypt after he kissed a presenter at an awards ceremony in Basel last week.



Mohamed Salah, high-scoring striker for FC Basel, was named best player for 2013 in the Swiss Super League at the ceremony organized by the Swiss Association of Football Players on Monday.

But Salah, 21, is getting flak from his fans back in Egypt for swapping kisses with a lady presenter before accepting the award at Basel’s Grand Casino. Exchanging kisses on the cheek is accepted as a normal form of greeting between a man and a woman in Switzerland but it is frowned upon by some residents of Arab countries, including Egypt.


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Following the criticism, Salah said he was disappointed by the reactions. “They have spoiled my joy as they forgot the prize and concentrated on the lady kissing me.” Salah said. “Anywhere I go here in Switzerland people applaud, while my native fans criticize me,” Salah added.