Liverpool Star Mo Salah Referred to Police by His Own Club Over Use of Phone

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has been referred to the police by his own club after footage emerged of him using a mobile phone while driving.

The video, which was circulated on Twitter and immediately went viral, shows the player using his phone while behind the wheel of his car sitting in traffic.

The footage was allegedly taken on Sunday afternoon, shortly after he scored as Liverpool opened their Premier League campaign by thrashing West Ham United 4-0 at Anfield.

Salah's vehicle was surrounded by fans, including children, who called out to him in the hope he would wind the window down and allow them to take a picture. The Egyptian continued to focus on his phone, before driving off shortly afterward as traffic cleared.

Under British law, it is illegal to hold a mobile phone while operating a vehicle. The offense can result in a six-point penalty on a driving license, a driving ban, and up to a £1,000 ($1,280) fine. Drivers who accrue 12 or more penalty points within a three-year period face a driving ban.

A spokesman for the Premier League club confirmed the police had been alerted following discussion with the Egyptian forward, who scored 44 goals in all competitions last season.

"The club, after discussion with the player, have made Merseyside Police aware of the footage and the circumstances surrounding its capture. We have spoken to the player also and will deal with any follow-up internally. Neither the club or player will be making any further comment on this matter," the spokesperson said.

Merseyside Police confirmed on Twitter that they had received footage of Salah and were investigating it.

"We have been made aware of a video believed to show a footballer using a mobile phone whilst driving. This has been passed to the relevant department. Thanks for letting us know."

Salah was on target on Sunday as Liverpool opened their Premier League campaign by thrashing West Ham United 4-0 at Anfield. Last year, in his first season with Liverpool, the 26-year-old broke all sort of records, becoming the Premier League's all-time goalscorer in a 38-game season with 32 goals and becoming Liverpool's most prolific in all competitions in a single season since the inception of the Premier League.

The Egypt international was awarded the PFA Players' Player of the Year award and the Football Writers' Player of the Year award, and was also named in the PFA Team of the Year for the Premier League.

However, the season ended in disappointment as he suffered a shoulder injury 30 minutes into the Champions League final against Real Madrid and was forced to be substituted, leaving the pitch in tears before Liverpool went on to lose the game 3-1.