Former Premier League footballer Ramadan Sobhi has been sentenced to a year in prison following his conviction for examination fraud in his native Egypt.
From the Pitch to the Courtroom
The 28-year-old Egyptian international, who had spells with English clubs Stoke City and Huddersfield Town, was found guilty by the Giza Criminal Court. The court handed down a 12-month prison sentence with hard labour to Sobhi and a second defendant on Tuesday. The charges stemmed from allegations that Sobhi falsified official documents and arranged for another person to sit exams on his behalf.
A Premier League Career Cut Short
Ramadan Sobhi's football journey in England began in 2016 when he signed for Stoke City from Egyptian giants Al Ahly SC. The attacking midfielder made 46 appearances for Stoke before moving to Huddersfield Town in 2018. His time in the Premier League was brief, totaling 45 matches across both clubs.
His debut came in August 2016, as a late substitute in Stoke's 4-1 loss to Manchester City. After transferring to Huddersfield, a knee injury sidelined him for two months, limiting his playing time to just 75 minutes of Premier League action for the Terriers. He eventually returned to Egypt on loan in early 2019 before making a permanent move to Pyramids FC in September 2020.
The Fraud Case Details
According to reports, the legal issues began with Sobhi's arrest in July. The case centered on a private institute for tourism and hospitality in the Giza Governorate. Prosecutors alleged that Sobhi was involved in falsifying documents and hiring an impersonator to take exams for him.
Following the verdict, Sobhi's lawyer was not immediately available for comment. However, it is expected that an appeal against the sentence could be launched in the coming days.
Internationally, Sobhi is known for having played alongside Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah for the Egyptian national team. His fall from grace serves as a stark contrast to his former life on the football pitch, highlighting a serious breach of academic integrity with severe legal consequences.
