EGYPTIAN PLAYER FLASHES RABAA SIGN AFTER SCORING IN AFRICA CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

       Cairo, 7 Muharram 1435/11 November 2013 (MINA) – An Egyptian footballer flashed the now-famous Rabaa sign after scoring for his side Al-Ahly in the second leg of the African Champions League final in Cairo late on Sunday (10/11).

       After netting home for his team in the 77th minute of the game, striker Ahmed Abdel-Zaher flashed the iconic sign that commemorates hundreds of protesters killed during the security forces dispersal of a sit-in staged by supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi in Cairo’s Rabaa al-Adawiya Square.

       Abdel-Zaher’s goal gave Al-Ahly a 2-0 victory over Orlando Pirates of South Africa and a record eighth African title. The first leg in Johannesburg ended in a 1-1 draw, Anadolu Agency reported as quoted  by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).

       Superstar Mohamed Aboutreika broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute of the game.

       Abdel-Zaher’s Rabaa sign is expected to reignite controversy. Last month, the Egyptian kung fu federation barred Mohamed Youssef from contesting the 12th World Wushu Championships in Malaysia for flashing the Rabaa sign when receiving the gold medal in an international championship played in the Russian city of St. Petersburg.

       Youssef also wore a yellow T-shirt emblazoned with the iconic sign.

       Days later another kung fu player, Hisham Abdel-Hamid, flashed the Rabaa sign during a training session of the Egyptian team in the Malaysia-hosted championship.

       But the federation said it would not take any punitive action against Abdel-Hamid on the ground that he did not make the gesture during an official game or on the winners’ podium. (T/P09/P03)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)