Egypt orders legal action over wrestler’s escape in Rome

The Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports has initiated legal proceedings against wrestler Mohamed Mustafa Ali El-Shami for defecting during a transit layover in Rome. A parallel case involving wrestler Ziad Haggag, who deserted during the World Junior Wrestling Championships in Slovakia, has been forwarded to prosecutorial authorities as well.

Preliminary investigations revealed negligence and insufficient oversight of delegation members, leading to the suspension of Ibrahim Adel Ibrahim Mustafa Al-Attar, head of the wrestling delegation, and referral to the Ethics Committee. El-Shami's escape occurred when the entire delegation boarded a train from Taranto to Rome, where they were en route to Cairo.

Despite the leader's attempts to recapture El-Shami, the mission was unsuccessful, forcing the coach to remain in Rome while the rest of the team returned home. The Ministry had previously asked the Egyptian Wrestling Federation to conduct an investigation into Haggag's disappearance in Slovakia and take the necessary legal steps before the matter was handed over to the Public Prosecution.

Despite these disciplinary actions, the ministry highlighted that Egypt's wrestlers demonstrated strong results at the Mediterranean Games, winning seven medals, including gold, silver, and bronze. While El-Shami was eliminated in the preliminary rounds, the Egyptian national wrestling team's achievements should not be overshadowed by these incidents.