Nasser Maher ‘not arrested’ as Pyramids clarify court case before Ghazl El Mahalla opener

A Pyramids FC source has denied reports that Nasser Maher was arrested just days before the club’s Egyptian Premier League opener against Ghazl El Mahalla.

Al Ahram reported that security authorities had arrested Maher because he was wanted in connection with a court case. However, a source at Pyramids told FilGoal.com that the player had not been arrested and had gone to a police station himself after being informed of a court ruling.

“لم يتم القاء القبض على ناصر ماهر كما يتردد. اللاعب تم ابلاغه فور العودة من معسكر الفريق في تركيا بوجود حكم قضايي عليه، وهو من قام بالذهاب الى القسم بنفسه، وقدم معارضة على الحكم”.

The source said Maher was notified of the ruling as soon as he returned from Pyramids’ training camp in Turkey. He then attended the police station voluntarily and filed an objection against the judgment.

Maher’s availability for Saturday’s match against Ghazl El Mahalla will be decided by the coaching staff, led by Rhulani Mokwena.

“شارك في تدريبات الفريق الجماعية بعد تعافيه من الاصابة في الكاحل، ومشاركته امام غزل المحلة في الدوري في يد الجهاز الفني بقيادة موكوينا”.

The midfielder has returned to full team training after recovering from an ankle injury. His participation in Pyramids’ first league match of the season therefore rests with Mokwena and his coaching staff.

Pyramids will face Ghazl El Mahalla at the latter’s stadium on Saturday, 22 August, in the opening round of the Egyptian Premier League.

Further details of the legal matter indicate that Maher was handed an enforceable six-month prison sentence with hard labour in absentia. The ruling relates to case number 403 of 2023 at Tagamoa misdemeanour court.

The case arose from an allegation that Maher assaulted a private security guard at one of the residential communities. The complainant’s legal representatives had submitted a report to the public prosecutor, asking for the necessary legal procedures to be taken against the player because he had not previously filed an objection or appeal against the judgment.

As a result, the ruling became enforceable. Under the legal process, Maher is entitled to challenge the judgment issued in his absence and have the case reheard before the competent court, which was the option referred to by the Pyramids source in comments to FilGoal.com.

Maher joined Pyramids from Zamalek in January. He has already won silverware with his new club, helping Pyramids claim the Egypt Cup after they defeated ZED FC in the final.

His immediate focus is now on the league campaign and the trip to Ghazl El Mahalla, with the final decision on whether he plays expected to come from Mokwena’s technical staff.