Publications
Partners
Cairo - Egypt's all-time top goalscorer Hossam Hassan will go on trial Saturday for allegedly assaulting a government photographer during clashes after a match involving his club, a court official said.
Scuffles broke out on Friday between players of Al-Masry -- the Port Said team where Hassan is now head coach -- and Ghazl el-Mahalla, following their 2-2 draw in a league match.
Hassan, former captain of Egypt's national team, was filmed apparently attacking a photographer who was working for the interior ministry as he was taking pictures of the clashes.
The video appears to show Hassan chasing the photographer across the pitch then punching him in the head, taking his camera and smashing it on the ground next to the pitch.
The photographer filed a complaint.
Hassan will face trial on charges of "assaulting and beating an official who was carrying out his duties" and for having damaged his camera, a judicial official and the police said.
His deputy Hassan Mustafa and the administrative director of the club Walid Badr will be tried with him on similar charges.
The three men were placed in custody Tuesday by the prosecutor of the Suez Canal city of Ismailiya, east of Cairo, where the match took place.
Hassan, 49, played for Egypt's two top clubs, Al-Ahly and Zamalak, and was known for his hot temper and frequent fights.
Before taking charge of Al-Masry last year, Hassan had a glittering career, scoring 69 goals in 196 appearances for Egypt.
On Saturday, the Egyptian Football Association suspended Hassan from taking part in his club's next three matches and fined him 10,000 Egyptian pounds.
The club was also fined 20,000 Egyptian pounds.
