Former international footballer Mohamed Aboutrika has been added to an Egyptian government terror list due to his alleged links to the country’s banned Muslim Brotherhood, reports the Telegraph.
The 38-year-old, who notched 100 caps for his country between 2001 and 2013, won the BBC African Footballer of the Year award in 2008, but has endured a difficult retirement since hanging up his boots in December 2013.
Aboutrika is accused of helping to fund the Muslim Brotherhood, which is considered to be a terrorist group by the Egyptian government, though the player denies any involvement and the Brotherhood insists it is a peaceful organisation.
The player’s lawyer, Mohamed Osman, says Aboutrika has “not been convicted or formally notified of any of the charges against him.”
Consequences of being placed on the terror list – which Osman has said is “contrary to law” in the case of his client – include an asset freeze and a travel ban. Osman confirmed that Aboutrika will be appealing the government’s decision.
Aboutrika is not currently living in Egypt but attending the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, where he is working as a commentator. His lawyer would not comment on when he might return to Egypt.
Aboutrika previously supported Mohamed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, as a candidate for Egypt’s presidency in 2012.
Since Morsi was removed from that office in 2013 by the country’s military, amid mass protests, life has been more difficult for Aboutrika, who already had some of his assets temporarily frozen by authorities in 2015.
Aboutrika played more than 350 times for al-Ahly, one of the country’s most successful clubs, but retired following the death of 74 people in violent stadium clashes between supporters of al-Ahly and al-Masry in Port Said.
A prolific goalscorer, Aboutrika netted 199 times in his club career as well as 38 times for his country during his century of appearances.
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