The Economic Court in Mansoura has acquitted Emam Ashour, a player for Egypt’s national team and Al Ahly Club, of defamation and insult charges. The case was filed by one of his neighbors in the city of Senbellawein, Dakahlia Governorate, who alleged that Ashour had insulted him via social media platforms.

During the court proceedings, both parties presented their statements, and the court reviewed all submitted evidence, including electronic messages used by the complainant to support his claim. After a thorough examination, the court found no grounds for the charges and ruled that the evidence was insufficient to prove any wrongdoing by the player, ultimately declaring him not guilty.

Conversely, the court imposed a fine of EGP 20,000 on the complainant, identified as "M.A.S.," after concluding that the claim lacked a proper legal basis. The court deemed the report malicious, noting that the evidence presented was inadequate to convict the player or prove intent to harm his reputation.

The incident traces back to an argument between Ashour and the complainant on Facebook following Zamalek's victory in the CAF Super Cup, which escalated tensions and led to the legal filing.

The legal proceedings began in the Senbellawein Misdemeanor Court, which later transferred the case to the Economic Court, the competent body for matters related to electronic communications, in accordance with Egypt’s cybercrime laws.

The ruling is considered a form of public vindication for Emam Ashour, who had faced significant public scrutiny due to the accusations. It also highlights the importance of verifying allegations before raising them on digital platforms, especially amid the growing number of online defamation cases.