ABU DHABI // A footballer charged with insulting the UAE national team coach on a video that went viral on the internet has said that he is the victim.
Al Dhafra player A Q, 29, denied a charge of using information technology and social media to defame and insult Mahdi Ali.
On Tuesday, A Q’s lawyer, Mohammed Al Marzooqi, told Abu Dhabi Court of Misdemeanors that the defendant was filmed in the changing room and the footage was published without his consent, so the cybercrime law did not apply. With regard to the insults to Mr Ali, the lawyer said charges were only pressed if the insulted party filed a case, which Mr Ali had not.
“We called Mahdi Ali and he said he does not have anything against my client, and will not press charges,” he said.
The video shows A Q shirtless in the changing room insulting Mr Ali for substituting him in a match. He then spits and gestures towards the button on the top of his trousers.
Co-defendants R M and J M also face charges under the cybercrime law – one for filming A Q, and the second for owning the website that published it. Both denied the charges.
The three are in custody after the court refused bail. The case was adjourned until Sunday.
hdajani@thenational.ae
