In a shocking legal development that has rocked Egyptian sports circles, the Giza Criminal Court – Circuit 30, issued a ruling on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, sentencing Ramadan Sobhi, a player for Pyramids FC and the Egyptian national team, to one year in prison. This sentence stems from his conviction in a criminal case related to the forgery of official documents pertaining to university exams at a tourism and hotel institute in the Abu Nomros area.
The court issued its verdict amidst tight security measures at the Shubra El-Kheima Criminal Court in Giza Governorate, where the court found the player involved in forging exam answer booklets, in addition to forging official documents proving his attendance and entry into exam sessions at the Pharaohs Higher Institute for Tourism and Hotels, which was denied by investigations that proved his actual absence.
Severe punishment for an accomplice in a crime
In a related matter, the court issued a harsh sentence of 10 years imprisonment for the second defendant, Youssef M.S.Y., a café worker. This severe sentence was due to the pivotal role the second defendant played in the forgery operation, as he took the exams and impersonated the first defendant, Ramadan Sobhi, along with other parties. The court considered this a serious manipulation of the integrity of the educational process and official state documents.
Ramadan Sobhi's career and the impact of the referee
Ramadan Sobhi is considered one of the most prominent talents in Egyptian football over the last decade. He began his career shining in the youth sector of Al Ahly Club, before embarking on a professional career in the English Premier League with Stoke City and Huddersfield Town. The player returned to the Egyptian League in a highly controversial transfer to Pyramids FC, where he became a key player for the Sky Blues.
This ruling represents a significant blow to the player's career and to Pyramids FC, a club that relies heavily on him in both domestic and continental competitions. It is also expected to cast a shadow over the player's future with the Egyptian national team, as sporting regulations and customs mandate adherence to proper conduct, not to mention the legal obstacles that could prevent him from participating in matches or traveling if the ruling is enforced.
Message from the Egyptian judiciary
This ruling reaffirms the principle of the rule of law, which makes no distinction between an ordinary citizen and a public figure or celebrity. Egyptian judicial authorities consistently emphasize the seriousness of forgery crimes involving official documents, particularly those related to academic certificates and examinations, given their negative impact on equal opportunities and institutional credibility. The investigating authorities and security services followed the case meticulously from its inception until the verdict was delivered this morning.
