The Egyptian Public Prosecution announced, on Wednesday, the results of an investigation that took several months into the sudden death of Ahmed Refaat, a player for the Modern Future Club and the Egyptian national team, after which President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi intervened and directed an investigation into the causes of what happened.

The former international player died last July, at the age of 31, 4 months after collapsing on the field during his team’s match, Future (whose name was later changed to Modern Sport) against Al-Ittihad Club in Alexandria.

After his fall on the field, Rifaat was transferred to the hospital, where he suffered a cardiac arrest for about two hours, before he survived.

After his recovery, Rifaat appeared in a television interview, confirming that what happened to him was the result of nervous pressure and his exposure to psychological harm from a person with great influence.

Days later, the sudden announcement of Refaat’s death came, shocking football fans in Egypt, which led to the eruption of controversy about who was responsible for the player’s “crisis,” and what happened to him until his death.

The Public Prosecution’s investigations, which were announced on Wednesday, revealed that Ahmed Refaat’s death, on July 6, 2024, was the result of a sudden cardiac arrest after suffering from a previous heart attack in the axial coronary artery in March of the same year.

The tests showed the presence of a genetic defect that caused premature hardening of the coronary arteries and problems with platelets, which prevented him from responding to therapeutic procedures.

In a surprise move last August, Sisi ordered the referral of a death case that had been filed to the Public Prosecution “to uncover any violations.”

According to what was reported at the time, Sisi directed that the Public Prosecution investigate the case, “and take legal measures against anyone proven to have violated the law.”

The prosecution’s statement, on Wednesday, indicated that there were administrative violations related to Rifaat’s travel, and legal measures were taken against those responsible, without revealing further details.

The Egyptian prosecution’s statement also touched on the death of Mohamed Shawky Abdel Aziz, a player for Kafr El-Sheikh Sports Club, who passed away last November 19.

The statement indicated that he died as a result of a severe heart attack and complications affecting the brain and kidneys, following cardiac arrest while participating in a match in the Second Division League. Although he was quickly transferred to the hospital and received the necessary care, the doctors were unable to save him.

The prosecution explained that the original health condition of both players prevented them from playing professional football.

It recommended several preventive measures to ensure the safety of athletes in Egypt, including: developing a list that includes the health and medical requirements necessary to practice sporting activities, and distributing genetic testing to all players to avoid future health problems.

It also recommended conducting an advanced medical examination before players participate in any local or international tournament, organizing periodic medical analyzes and examinations for the players, preparing a health record for each of them, and equipping Egyptian clubs and teams with the latest medical equipment necessary for first aid