Al Ahly president put in prison

The president of the Egyptian football club Al Ahly has been put in prison after he was arrested on charges of serious corruption on Sunday.

Hassan Hamdi, who has been at the helm for 12 years, will remain in prison for 15 days in order to prevent him from leaving Egypt until the end of the investigation.

Hamdy, who also represented Al Ahly 450 times between 1969 and 1978 while also captaining the club, has denied all charges against him.

He was due to step down ahead of the March 28 elections after a new law limited the tenure of sports club board members. The regulations, to be passed by the Ministry of Sports, bars members from serving more than two successive terms at a time which limites their tenures to eight years.

“I am sure the club members will select the best candidates to run the club in the next period,” Hamdi had said earlier this month. “As for myself, I have decided to retire.”

During his reign, the club won the Egyptian league five times and lifted the African Champions League trophy four times. 

“I am glad and proud to have served the club for more than 40 years as a player, administrator, board member and finally as chairman. I am also proud of all the achievements the club has accomplished during those eight years on all levels; sports, culture and social.”