Footballer Abdullah Qassem sent to jail for criticising UAE national team manager for not selecting him

Qassem was filmed criticising Mahdi Ali

UAE coach Mahdi Ali (GETTY IMAGES)

Footballer Abdullah Qassem has been jailed for three months for criticising the manager of the United Arab Emirates national side, according to reports.

The National newspaper report that the 29-year-old was filmed making indecent gestures and criticising coach Mahdi Ali (pictured above) after he was left out of the UAE side.

Qassem, along with a second unnamed Al-Dhafra player who filmed the rant, were given three-month sentences by the Abu Dhabi Court of Misdemeanours

The duo were found guilty of using telecommunications services to offend and hurt the feelings of others, and displaying a recording that breached public ethics through the web.

The duo had already been suspended by their club.

Qassem's lawyer argued the video was published without his client's consent and that he was a victim in the crime. He also said Ali had not wished to press charges.

Additional reporting by Reuters