Ahli striker Ahmed Abdul-Zaher has been hit by a one-year ban by the Egyptian FA for his controversial goal celebration in the Champions League final against Orlando Pirates. Abdul-Zaher, who scored Ahli's second in a 2-0 win in Cairo, flashed the four-finger ‘Rabaa' sign representing a Muslim Brotherhood sit-in that was dismantled by Egyptian police forces last August, leaving hundreds of casualties. As the 28-year-old was indefinitely banned, fined and transfer-listed by his club Ahli, a further sanction was announced by the Egyptian FA on Thursday. The FA statement said that Abdul-Zaher will be suspended for three months from all domestic competitions, plus a one-year ban from representing national teams. The reason was specified as ‘mixing sports with politics'. Abdul-Zaher, who is certain to play outside Egypt next season, has nine international caps to his name. FA interference The decision of the Egyptian FA comes following an investigation with the player over his act. The FA's interference raises a few eyebrows as the Egyptian football governing body has no jurisdiction over the CAF-supervised Champions League competition. It is believed that the FA's decision to intervene came after a recommendation from Sports Minister Taher Abou-Zeid, who slammed Abdul-Zaher for his behavior.
