The company posted an Instagram video last week announcing that the former Borussia Dortmund forward had become its brand ambassador in Egypt.

Zidan, 42, retired in January 2016 and remains a favourite among Egyptian football fans.

Some football fans expressed dismay with Zidan on social media platforms, calling for him to be unfollowed on his social media accounts.

"I can't believe it. How come??.. the best unfollow for you, Zidan," football fan Eslam Magico commented on the company's post via Instagram.

Another fan, Eslam Osama, said that all Egyptians should unfollow Zidan for being an ambassador for a betting app, stressing that the former striker is "destroying the youth."

Gambling is prohibited under Islamic jurisprudence and Egyptian law.

Zidan, who currently works as a sports analyst, has not commented on the controversy.

MPs intervention
 

Egyptian parliament member Abdelmonem Emam announced on Friday lodging an official request regarding granting the company permission to work in Egypt.

"I was shocked by the recent ad. I am sorry to say that millions of Egyptians are using these websites although gambling is forbidden in all religions," Emam told TEN TV channel.

Emam highlighted that the National Telecom Regulatory Authority blocked many of these websites a month ago, but they defrauded by using different usernames to stop the block.

"It is bizarre to see a famous and successful footballer like Mohamed Zidan collaborating with these websites while he doesn't need them at all," Emam added.

Bad history for betting apps
 

The rise of sports betting apps in Egypt already raised concerns in recent months as vast numbers of younger generations were attracted by the apps to make large profits quickly.

Some recent incidents of theft, financial ruin, and even suicide or murder in Egypt have been related to betting apps.

Recently, for instance, a man from Qena governorate committed suicide after losing EGP 70,000 in an Internet betting game. Another from Minya hanged himself after incurring substantial debt.

In July, Al-Azhar, the world's leading Summi Islamic institution, warned against online betting groups and apps focused on sports outcomes, labelling them as "prohibited".

Ban requests
 

Karim Sa'eed, the editor-in-chief of the sports website Yallakora, described the player's approval to participate in this ad as a disaster, blaming him for "guiding youth to a forbidden thing at both the religious and legal levels." 

Sa'eed called on the authorities to intervene immediately and block the company's website in Egypt, as was done in similar cases.

The journalist finally asked the parliament to take a firm position against any public figure contributing to the spread of betting companies.

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