Pyramids FC’s Nasser Maher arrested over six-month prison sentence

Cairo security authorities have arrested Pyramids FC midfielder Nasser Maher in connection with an enforceable court sentence, according to Al-Ahram.

Maher was detained in New Cairo after being identified as wanted in a legal case. Checks reportedly found that an absentia ruling had been issued against the player, ordering him to serve six months in prison with labour.

The ruling relates to case number 403 of 2023 in El Tagamoa misdemeanours court. Maher was accused of assaulting a private security guard working at one of the residential communities in the area.

The case was brought forward after the victim’s legal representatives submitted a complaint to Egypt’s prosecutor general. They asked the authorities to take the necessary legal action against Maher, citing his failure to challenge the original ruling or appeal against it within the required period.

As a result, the judgment became enforceable, leading to the player’s arrest, according to the report.

Maher will have the right to contest the absentia judgment and request that his trial procedures be reopened before the competent court. The available legal route means the initial ruling is not necessarily the final stage of the case, with the player able to present his defence through the relevant judicial process.

The arrest comes during Maher’s first year at Pyramids FC. He joined the club in January after leaving Zamalek, and has since been part of the squad that won the Egypt Cup.

Pyramids FC lifted the trophy after beating ZED FC in the final. The success added a major honour to Maher’s time with the club following his move from Zamalek.

The club are now preparing for the opening round of the Egyptian Premier League. Pyramids FC are scheduled to travel to face Ghazl El Mahalla at the latter’s stadium on Saturday, 22 August.

The legal proceedings involving Maher are separate from that forthcoming fixture and from the club’s sporting commitments. The player’s next steps will depend on his challenge to the absentia ruling and the procedures followed by the court hearing the case.