The criminal court of the United Arab Emirates yesterday announced the conviction of two players of the Zamalek “to one month’s imprisonment and a fine of 200,000 dirhams (approximately 50,000 euros) each, for having endangered the safety of public officials in the exercise of their duties, committing acts disturbing public order and causing disorder in front of the fans “. Mostafa Shalaby and Nabil Emadtogether with the current sporting director Abdelwahed El-Sayed, had been protagonists of some clashes on the sidelines of the match between Zamalek and Pyramids FC, a match valid for the semi-finals of the Egyptian Super Cup. Today, however, the three men were finally pardoned.
The court had relied on the victims’ testimonies, as well as videos showing that the defendants had failed to comply with the controls and had attacked the officers responsible for securing the event. Videos had also circulated on social networks showing Zamalek players arguing with a security guard at the Al Nahyan stadium in Abu Dhabi, before being arrested.
Despite the convictions, the President of the United Arab Emirates and Emir of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan issued a directive aimed at pardoning the defendants involved, the official news agency indicated on its website: “This gesture embodies the deep brotherly bond that unites the United Arab Emirates and the Arab Republic of Egypt and reflects the ongoing commitment of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in strengthening the bonds of brotherhood that unite the two nations and their peoples”, we read in the text.