Former Egyptian footballer Mohamed Aboutrika ‘added to terror list for links to banned Muslim Brotherhood’
FORMER Africa Cup of Nations winner is alleged to have terrorist links but lawyer says move is 'contrary to law'
FORMER Africa Cup of Nations winner Mohamed Aboutrika, dubbed 'the Saint' during his playing days, has been added to a terror list for his alleged links to the banned Muslim Brotherhood, his lawyer says.
Mohamed Aboutrika, who won Africa's player of the year four times, is accused of financially supporting the Brotherhood.
Egypt considers the group a terrorist organisation.
In 2012, Aboutrika endorsed the successful presidential run of Mohamed Morsi, a Brotherhood member.
Now Aboutrika faces a travel ban and having his passport and assets frozen, common procedure for a person named on the list.
Mohamed Osman, Aboutrika's lawyer, said the move was "contrary to the law" and insisted his client had "not been convicted or formally notified of any of the charges against him".
He added: "We will appeal this decision."
Aboutrika, 38, who retired from the game in 2013, has strenuously denied the allegations.
He previously played for Cairo's al-Ahly club and won Afcon in 2006 and 2008.
He was voted Africa best player of the year in 2008, 2012 and 2013 and BBC African footballer of the year in 2008.
Aboutrika was dubbed the Prince of Hearts and the Magician by fans and pundits.
But his decision to support Morsi split opinion.
In 2015 he had a string of assets, including shares in a number of companies, seized by the Egyptian authorities.
The army's crackdown on Brotherhood members has left hundreds of people dead and thousands in jail.