[Published: Tuesday October 29 2013]
Athlete 'stripped of gold medal' for Morsi support
Cairo, 29 Oct - (ANA) - An Egyptian kung fu champion has been stripped of a gold medal after showing support for ousted President Mohammed Morsi, according to his family. Mohammed Youssef has also been banned from representing his country. Mr Youssef was photographed at a tournament in Russia wearing a T-shirt with a symbol showing solidarity with pro-Morsi protesters. Egypt's government has cracked down on supporters of the former president after he was deposed in July. Mr Youssef's brother Hammam says the athlete was sent home early from the contest and interrogated on arrival. The gold medal he had won was confiscated. State-run media pictured him receiving the honour in a T-shirt emblazoned with an open palm and four fingers - the symbol of a pro-Morsi camp violently cleared by the authorities. "Kung fu player Mohammed Youssef will be deported from Russia due to his behaviour," Egypt Kung Fu Association executive officer Gamal El-Jazzar told Ahram Online. "He will also be banned from representing Egypt in the coming Kung Fu World Championship." It is unclear if the ban will be permanent. Hundreds of protesters died when security forces stormed two sit-ins in the capital in August. (ANA)
FA/ANA/29 October 2013----------- |