Authorities reject football star’s appeal against seizure of his assets

On Wednesday a state-appointed committee tasked with overseeing the finances and assets of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood rejected an appeal filed by Egypt’s most renowned football star, Mohamed Aboutrika, against the confiscation of his tourism company.

The committee upheld the confiscation of Aboutrika's company, Ashab Tourism and Travel Agency, which was seized on May 7 – claiming that its finances were linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Citing the findings of this committee, the state-owned Middle East News Agency (MENA,) reported that Aboutrika’s company “was founded on a faulty basis” and has links with the “terrorist Brotherhood.”

MENA reported the financial committee found that a co-founder and manager of the Ashab Tourism and Travel Agency, Anas Mohamed al-Qadi, “is a leading figure within the criminal Brotherhood organization.”

Al-Qadi is accused of anti-state hostilities, along with using the travel agency’s funds to finance terrorist operations in 2013. MENA reports that al-Qadi has been jailed since last year pending trial on felony charges.

Aboutrika has dismissed these charges against his company and its manager as being unfounded accusations. On his official Twitter account, Aboutrika commented: “Thanks to all those who supported me and stood by my side, and may God forgive those who wrongfully accuse and slander me. I will continue with the legal procedures.”

On May 7, when authorities initially confiscated his travel agency’s assets, Aboutrika criticized the confiscation order, commenting: “I will not leave this country and I will work here toward its progress."

Many Twitter accounts expressed solidarity with Aboutrika, claiming that the renowned footballer was being subjected to political score-settling. However, several other Twitter users denounced the former footballer as “a member of the Brotherhood,” while others accused him of sympathizing with terrorists.

The 36-year old icon – aka “the Magician” – quit playing professional football back in 2013, but prior to his retirement Aboutrika had somewhat delved into the political sphere. He openly expressed solidarity with the Palestinian populace in light of the Egyptian-Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip back in 2008. While playing a match during the African Cup of Nations on January 27 of that year, Aboutrika took off his jersey to reveal a T-shirt reading “Sympathy With Gaza.”

Several social media users implied that the ruling regime is partaking in retribution against Aboutrika who had publically supported the presidential campaign of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohamed Morsi in 2012, against the candidacy of Mubarak’s former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq.

Aboutrika also supported the Ultras Ahlawy – a hardcore group of Ahly Football Club fans – especially following the Port Said Stadium riot of February 1, 2012, which left at least 72 ultras dead and hundreds of others injured. Supporters of the Ahly football club claim they were deliberately targeted by fans from the opposing team while police closed the stadium gates and sealed them within. Previously, Ultras Ahlawy had actively partaken in street fights against police forces during the January 25, 2011 uprising.