Ahly suspend Abdel-Zaher for Rabaa sign, put him up for sale

Ahmed Abdel-Zaher suspended and put on transfer list for making four-fingered hand signal in support of deposed Islamist president Mohamed Morsi during African final

Ahram Online, Tuesday 12 Nov 2013

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Ahly's Ahmed Abdul Zaher, appears to make a four-fingered hand signal after scoring a goal, a gesture that is linked with support for ousted Islamist president Mohammed Morsi, during the African Champions League second leg final match between Egyptian Al Ahly club and South Africa's Orlando Pirates, at the Arab Contractors stadium in Cairo.(Photo: AP)

Ahly striker apologises for 'Rabaa' salute

Ahly suspend striker for Rabaa salute

Egypt's sports minister downplays Abdel-Zaher's Rabaa salute

Ahly have suspend striker Ahmed Abdel-Zaher and will put him up for sale in the January transfer window after he made the pro-Morsi Rabaa sign after scoring in the African Champions League final on Sunday.

The Cairo giants, who are known for their strict disciplinary code, came down hard on Abdel-Zaher although he issued a formal apology earlier in the day.

"In light of the club's principles, its firm rejection of mixing politics with sports, its adherence to the regulations of FIFA … and the player's confession that he had made a mistake and that he would accept any punishment, the club has decided the following:" Ahly said in a statement.

"Suspending the player and banning him from next month's Club World Cup, depriving him of the Champions League triumph rewards and putting him up for sale in the January transfer window."

The Red Devils hitman stirred controversy when he made the four-finger Rabaa sign – a hand salute representing the former protest camp in support of ousted president Mohamed Morsi – after scoring a goal in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Orlando Pirates.

In his apology, Abdel-Zaher said he only intended to show solidarity with one of his friends who died when security forces crushed the Rabaa camp on 14 August.

The 28-year-old joined Ahly from ENPPI last January and has become a key player in the team's squad lately.

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Nariman

13-11-2013 10:06am

NON Sense

First of all I would like to start my comment that what happened in 30 June 2013 was absolutely not a coup, it was people's well whoever thinks not, however I guess what happened with Abdel-Zaher is totally unfair if shows any political signs from any kind is illegal so just apply the low and if he has to pay something as I don't know the rules in football just make him pay and if suspension is the rule it's okay, but putting him on sale although he scored a very important goal on the last match which guaranteed gong to the World cup for clubs and also he is a very good player , cursing him in all media and I actually heard someone said that Abdel-Zaher should not enter the Ahly club ever again this is absolutely not right we need to be more civilized and it's not about the government it's about Egyptian people , we need to be logical in our judgment if he raised Rabaa signs that's his right and his opinion which should be respect no matter I like it or not and if that illegal just apply the low and don't over rate the situation like he killed someone.

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Nooman Mufti

13-11-2013 07:54am

They even deprived him of his financial dues (rewards for scoring the goal)!

This is truly a bloody joke. How much punishment for a 4 fingered symbol, but no invetigation of the mass killings which it symbolizes (Rabaa al Adawiya). Shame on the government and its stooges. Oh Ahmed, may Allah give you a better club than Ahly. They didn't deserve you!!

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Maher abaa

13-11-2013 12:11am

Illegitimate

This coup govt. is illegitimate. Morsy provided true freedom for egyptians. And they attacked him for every flaw in egypt as if it was his fault. Now the coup govt. is doing far far worse. Including attacking Bassim just like the same part of their machinary attacked him under Morsy. In that time it was blamed on Morsy even though he put an end to those charges. How can you all continue to be so blind to what happened. You were fooled into turning against the first true revolutionary president and supporting the counter-revolution instead. You guys need to wake up and smell the gun powder. The current gov. has it's weapons on the revolutionaries. Yesterday the MB tomorrow everybody else. Wake up before it is too late.

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