Trabzonspor beat KuPS 4-2 as Salah’s shirts spark a mystery

Trabzonspor beat KuPS 4-2 away in the opening of the Conference League. Beyond the result, however, the exchange of Mohamed Salah’s shirts became a talking point around the match.

Salah scored a goal and provided an assist to help his team to victory. After his performance, attention shifted from the pitch to the customary exchange of shirts. Yle highlighted the question being asked by supporters and the press: who had received the Egyptian star’s shirt?

KuPS youngster Samuel Pasanen initially said that Petri Pennanen, the team captain, had got the shirt. Pennanen’s response did little to settle the matter: « It might be mine, and it might not. »

KuPS player Akseli Puukko later confirmed that Pennanen had indeed received one of Salah’s shirts, while he had obtained another. In remarks reported by Sanoma, Puukko explained: « Salah had several shirts; I think we each took one of the shirts he had worn during the match. »

Salah had therefore worn two different shirts during the game, which ended up with two KuPS players. The detail gave the post-match exchange an unusual story of its own, alongside Trabzonspor’s win.