FILE – In this Feb. 10, 2008, file photo, Egypt’s Mohamed Aboutreika celebrates after scoring against Cameroon during their Africa Cup of Nations championship soccer match at Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra, Ghana. A social media campaign to persuade former
FILE – In this Feb. 10, 2008, file photo, Egypt’s Mohamed Aboutreika celebrates after scoring against Cameroon during their Africa Cup of Nations championship soccer match at Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra, Ghana. A social media campaign to persuade former star midfielder Aboutrika to come out of retirement – and exile – to join Egypt’s World Cup squad in Russia has stirred a storm in a country where politics and football often mix. The hugely popular Aboutrika already said no to a comeback, but pro-government media, seething over the show of love for the retired player, continues to vilify him over alleged ties to an outlawed Islamist group. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
