Saudi prosecution orders ex-footballer’s arrest over COVID-19 claim
Ex-player apologises for 'lack of clarity' in his tweet deemed fanatical
Cairo: Saudi public prosecution has ordered the arrest of an ex-footballer after he suggested a link between reimposing COVID-19 restrictions in the coastal city of Jeddah and alleged favours to a leading club, according to media reports.
On Saturday, a two-week curfew was reimposed in Jeddah that authorities attributed to the virus situation in the city.
Saudi news portal Ajel said that the prosecution ordered the arrest of ex-player Fahad Al Hurifi after he posted a tweet hinting that the latest health curbs in Jeddah were aimed at helping the Riyadh-based Al Hilal club to win the local football league title. Al Hurifi, 54, later deleted the tweet.
On Saturday, he posted a new tweet in which he apologised for what he called “lack of clarity” in his earlier tweet.
Al Hurifi, an ex-player for the Saudi Al Nesr club and the national team, explained that his earlier tweet meant to stress the importance of the measures reimposed by the Interior Ministry in Jeddah.
A prosecution source said the arrest order was issued due to displaying sports fanaticism.
“This person has implied that repercussions of tightening health precautionary measures against the coronavirus in Jeddah are in favour of a sports club in claiming the league title according to his allegation,” the source added without identifying the person in question or the club.