ABU DHABI // A footballer is expected to appear in court on Monday on charges related to a controversial video that has spread across social media.
The player appears in the footage undressed, making indecent gestures and insulting the national team coach, Mahdi Ali, for not selecting him for the UAE team.
Another footballer has been charged with filming the clip, and the owner of the website on which it was published has been charged with using information technology to defame the coach, and publishing his photo without permission.
The three men are charged under cybercrime laws that came into effect this year. They are accused of using telecommunications technology to offend and hurt the feelings of another, and of publishing a recording that breached public ethics.
If convicted, they could be sentenced to at least a year in prison and/or a fine of between Dh250,000 and Dh500,000.
The player in the video, who is 29, has been suspended by his club, Al Dhafra, since the video appeared.
Prosecutors warned internet users to be careful before sharing or publishing material that could be considered offensive.
hdajani@thenational.ae
