In a ruling that sparked wide attention in Egypt’s sports scene, the Economic Court sentenced former footballer Ahmed Hossam “Mido” to one month in prison and fined him EGP 20,000, with bail set at EGP 5,000 to suspend the sentence, in addition to EGP 10,000 in civil compensation. The verdict came after he was convicted of insulting and defaming referee Mahmoud El-Banna online. ⚖️📱

The court stated in its reasoning that Mido had used his official social media accounts to post comments that exceeded acceptable criticism, harming the referee’s reputation and professional standing. It stressed that such remarks do not fall under the umbrella of free expression or constructive sports criticism.

The court noted that Mido’s fame amplified the impact of his words, causing the insults to spread widely within and beyond the sports community, generating strong public reactions that damaged El-Banna’s image.

It added that freedom of expression is constitutionally protected, but it does not justify personal attacks or defamation—especially from public figures who are expected to set an example of respectful behavior.

The court concluded by emphasizing that fame does not grant anyone the right to misuse their platforms for harm or incitement, urging the preservation of ethics and mutual respect within Egyptian sports. ⚽🇪🇬