An Egyptian criminal court has added ex-football star Mohamed Abou-Treika to a terror list, his lawyer said on Tuesday, for alleged links to the now-banned Muslim Brotherhood group.

In 2015, a government committee froze the assets of the former player. Authorities accuse him of funding the Muslim Brotherhood, which the state designated a terrorist organisation in late 2013. The freezing decision was overturned by a court order in June 2016.

Under the country’s anti-terrorism law, any person placed on a terror list is subject to a travel ban and faces having their passports and assets frozen.

Abou-Treika's lawyer Mohamed Osman said that the criminal court decision was “illegal” because his client “has not been convicted” in any criminal case, which is a precondition for placement on terror lists.

Osman said they will appeal the decision, issued by court on 12 January but only announced on Tuesday.

According to Osman, the retired player’s asset freeze is still in place despite having been lifted by a court ruling.

Egypt's current terror list contains over 1500 names, including top Brotherhood leaders convicted of violent crime. These include Islamist ex-president Mohamed Morsi; organisation chief Mohamed Badie; owner of the Juhayna dairy company, businessman Safwan Thabet; Chairman of the Islamist Wasat Party Abul Ela Mady and his deputy among others.

The former top class Ahly and Egypt midfielder hung up his boots in December 2013 after participating with Ahly in the FIFA Club World Cup, ending an exceptional career that etched his name among the country's all time greats. He was dubbed as The Magician and The Saint during his playing days.

The player publicly supported the Brotherhood’s Morsi to become president in 2012 elections.