Throughout his exemplary career, Egyptian footballer Mohamed Salah has faced his fair share of prejudice over his Arab and Muslim heritage.
This time around, the offenders were Chelsea Football Club fans who made what Liverpool F.C. described as "vile discriminatory chants" against its forward.
"Salah is a bomber," they appeared to be chanting in a video shared on social media.
Chelsea F.C. beat Liverpool F.C. on Thursday during the Europa League quarter-final, but the win was overshadowed by bigoted behavior exhibited by a group of Chelsea fans.
Prior to the game, a video shared online captured six male fans singing the derogatory chant at a bar in the Czech capital, according to The Guardian. The clip, in which the Muslim football star was repeatedly described as a "bomber," appears to have been shot by one of the fans in question.
In response, Chelsea F.C. successfully identified the men in the video before the game and banned them from watching it live at Czech Republic's Sinobo Stadium. Three of the six fans were turned away after attempting to enter the stadium, while the remaining three fans reportedly did not turn up for the game.
The Telegraph reports that all six fans face lifelong bans from the stadium.
Later on Thursday, Chelsea F.C. released a statement condemning "all forms of discriminatory behavior abhorrent" and vowing to take "the strongest possible action" against Chelsea season ticket holders or members who take part in such behavior.
"Such individuals are an embarrassment to the vast majority of Chelsea supporters who won't tolerate them in their club," the statement reads.
Liverpool F.C. also issued a statement in response to the incident, referring to the fans' behavior as "unadulterated bigotry." The football club also thanked Chelsea F.C. for speaking out on the matter and swiftly identifying those responsible.
This is not the first time Salah faces bigotry due to his Muslim faith. In February, a video captured a West Ham United F.C. fan cussing the Egyptian striker during a game and shouting, "Salah, you f*cking Muslim."
Still, Salah rises above the hate through stellar achievements. Earlier this month, the footballer made history when he made his 50th Premier League goal for Liverpool F.C., reaching that milestone in fewer games than anyone else in the club's history.
Last April, Salah was named as the Premier League's Player of the Year, becoming the first Egyptian and the second player from Africa to ever win the award.