ABU DHABI // The footballers who took part in an “indecent video” that went viral on social media had confessed to the crime, the Misdemeanors Court in the capital heard.
Three defendants are accused of using telecommunication technology to insult and harm others’ feelings by showing an indecent video.
The Al Dhafra football team player, AQ, 29, appears in the video shirtless, making indecent gestures, spitting, and insulting the national team coach, Mahdi Ali, for not selecting him for the UAE team.
However, AQ’s lawyer, Mohammed Al Mazroeui, previously stated the video was published without his client’s consent, and that he was a victim in the crime.
He also stated the Mr Ali, the coach who was insulted, did not wish to press charges.
Team players RM and JM are also co-conspirators in the crime, with one shooting the video and the other owning the website where is was posted.
However, JM denied publishing the second part of the video and claimed someone had hacked into the website and published it without his knowledge or consent.
The video, that went viral shortly after it was published, is said to have offended many people where they considered it to be an attack to the societal, Islamic and moral values.
AQ has since been suspended from the club.
The case was adjourned to October 4, where the lawyers will give their defense arguments.
aalkhoori@thenational.ae