The Giza Criminal Court in Egypt has brought to a close one of the most talked-about cases in the sports world, accepting the appeal filed by Ramadan Sobhi, star of Pyramids FC and the Egyptian national team, against his one-year prison sentence for forging official documents. The court's final ruling suspended the sentence for three years, allowing the player to continue his football career without immediate obstacles.

Case details and initial ruling

The case dates back to last May when security forces arrested a man who was taking a university exam on behalf of Ramadan Sobhi at a tourism and hotel management institute in the Abu Nimras area. During the investigation, the accused confessed to receiving money for doing so. Consequently, the court previously sentenced both Ramadan Sobhi and the man who impersonated him to one year of imprisonment with hard labor, while a third defendant was acquitted. A fourth defendant, who remains at large, was sentenced in absentia to 10 years in prison.

General context: Education and military service for athletes

This case highlights a significant challenge facing many professional athletes in Egypt: the requirement to perform mandatory military service. According to Egyptian law, young men are obligated to serve in the military, but this can be postponed for students enrolled in educational institutions. For this reason, many players seek proof of enrollment in an institute or university to obtain a deferment that would allow them to travel with their clubs and national teams to participate in international tournaments. This was confirmed by Ramadan Sobhi's defense team, who indicated that the need to prove his academic enrollment was the primary motivation behind his decision to continue his sporting career.

The importance of refereeing and its impact on a player's career

The decision to suspend the ban is of paramount importance to the future of Ramadan Sobhi and his club, Pyramids FC. Domestically, the ruling ensures the player's continued participation with his team, which is fiercely competing for both domestic and continental titles. On a personal level, the ruling gives Sobhi an opportunity to move past this crisis and refocus on the pitch, although the case will remain a controversial point in his career. His lawyer, Shady El-Barqouqi, stated that the player's fame contributed to the media hype surrounding the case, emphasizing that Sobhi denied all the charges against him and that he is fully focused on football. This ruling temporarily puts an end to the legal controversy, but places the player under observation during the three-year suspended sentence.

In a strategic move highlighting the reliance on international expertise in the Saudi Professional League, Al-Ettifaq's head coach, Saad Al-Shehri, has finalized his list of foreign players for the upcoming match against Al-Kholoud in the 18th round of the competition. This decision comes as the "Knights of Ad-Dahna" seek to solidify their position in the league standings and achieve technical stability in one of the most competitive seasons in Saudi football history.

The general context and competitive landscape of the Roshan League

The Saudi Professional League is witnessing an unprecedented qualitative leap. With the attraction of some of the world's brightest football stars, the level of ambition and competition has risen dramatically. The struggle is no longer limited to the traditional giants; every match now represents a genuine challenge demanding high levels of technical and physical readiness. In this context, foreign players are the cornerstone of most teams' strategies, as their experience gained from major European leagues contributes to raising the quality of performance and adding tactical depth to the teams—a fact well understood by Saudi national coach Saad Al-Shehri.

Al-Ettifaq's foreign lineup: a blend of experience and attacking prowess

Al-Shehri relied on seven foreign players to form the backbone of the team in the Al-Kholoud match, players he counted on to make the difference. The list included:

• Marek Rodak: The Slovakian goalkeeper who provides security for the defense line.
• Jack Hendry: The Scottish international defender known for his toughness and ability to build play from the back.
• Mohau Nkota: The defender who adds physical strength to the back line.
• Ondrej Duda: The Slovakian midfielder who is known for his ability to link the lines.
• Georginio Wijnaldum: The veteran Dutch star who represents the heart of the team in midfield with his vast experience with clubs such as Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain.
• Joao Costa: The young striker who possesses speed and skill.
• Moussa Dembele: The French striker who is expected to convert chances into goals.

The importance of the match and its impact on the teams' trajectory

This match is of paramount importance to both teams. For Al-Ettifaq, a victory is a crucial step towards maintaining their high ranking and competing for a continental qualification spot. Any slip-up could see them drop down the standings, given the close points gap between the mid-table and top teams. On the other hand, Al-Kholoud, newly promoted to the top flight, aims to prove their worth and secure a positive result against a star-studded team, which would provide a significant morale boost in their fight to avoid relegation. Therefore, a fiercely contested and tactically astute encounter is expected, with Al-Ettifaq attempting to impose their control and experience, while Al-Kholoud may rely on a solid defensive structure and swift counter-attacks.

In a move reflecting the integration of sports, education, and sustainability, Jeddah hosted an educational field trip for school students on the sidelines of the inaugural E1 World Championship . This initiative was part of the “Driving Force Presented by PIF” program, which aims to inspire the next generation and equip them with the knowledge needed to keep pace with the future of sustainable mobility, in line with the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 .

Background and Strategic Objectives of the Initiative:
This educational tour is part of a program launched by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) in April 2025, with the strategic objective of supporting the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The program specifically targets students aged 8 to 18 and aims to stimulate their creative and analytical abilities in the rapidly growing electric vehicle sector. Through interactive workshops and hands-on experiences, students gain a deep understanding of the challenges and solutions related to the future of clean mobility, preparing them to be future leaders in this vital field.

An immersive on-site learning experience:
The tour provided students with a unique opportunity to explore the championship venue and get a close look at the RaceBird electric racing boats, which represent the pinnacle of innovation in sustainable marine technology. The experience wasn't limited to observation; it extended to face-to-face meetings with elite international racers, such as Danny Close from Team OK, Rusty White from Team AlUla, and Micah Wilkinson from Team Drogba. The students enthusiastically engaged with the racers, asking insightful questions about the technical aspects of the boats, the importance of sustainability in motorsports, and the future of electric sports. At the end of the tour, they received autographs, leaving with a lasting impression of a comprehensive educational experience.

The local and international significance of the event
extends far beyond the sporting aspect, encompassing economic, environmental, and social dimensions. Locally, these events reinforce the Kingdom's position as a leading global destination for tourism, sports, and innovation. They also contribute to developing a young national workforce capable of leading the clean energy sector. Internationally, hosting the first world championship for electric powerboats solidifies the Kingdom's role as a key player in leading the global transition towards sustainability and provides an inspiring model for how sports and technology can be integrated to serve environmental goals.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), John Williams, General Manager of the E1 Championship, affirmed that “choosing Jeddah as the starting point for the championship reflects its advanced position on the global events map,” praising the partnership with the Public Investment Fund, which represents a model that leaves a long-term impact that goes beyond the limits of sports competition to include empowering young generations.

This initiative is a living embodiment of the Kingdom’s commitment to accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies in electric vehicles and bringing about a qualitative shift in future transportation systems, where sports become an influential knowledge platform that contributes to building a more sustainable and innovative future.