The Matrouh Criminal Court has handed Zamalek defender Ahmed Fetouh a one-year suspended prison sentence in connection with a fatal road accident. The ruling, delivered on Saturday evening, also includes a fine of 20,000 Egyptian pounds and the revocation of his driver’s license.
Fetouh faced charges of involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence after a tragic incident on the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road.
The accident resulted in the death of a police officer, prompting an investigation that revealed the player’s impaired state at the time of the collision.
In addition to the suspended sentence, Fetouh is now subject to a three-year probation period.
During this time, any further criminal offense would activate the one-year prison term outlined in the court’s ruling.
A settlement was reached between Fetouh and the victim’s family during an earlier court session, which is believed to have influenced the court’s decision to impose a suspended sentence rather than immediate imprisonment.
Despite the legal proceedings, Fetouh has resumed his professional football career with Zamalek.
The defender has already made appearances in the team’s opening matches of the Egyptian Premier League this season.
Zamalek has also confirmed that Fetouh will remain available for selection in both domestic and international fixtures.
He is expected to join the squad for upcoming matches abroad, as the court’s decision does not impose travel restrictions on the player.
The case has sparked debate among football fans and the wider public, with some criticizing the leniency of the sentence while others point to the settlement reached with the victim’s family as a key factor in the court’s ruling.
For Fetouh, the probation period serves as a critical juncture in his career and personal life.
The player will be under close scrutiny both on and off the pitch as he navigates the next three years of his probation.
