Mahmoud Mohamad El Ali (; born 4 March 1984) is a Lebanese former professional footballer who played as a striker. El Ali represented the Lebanon national team, scoring 12 goals in 46 games, before being banned for life from professional football due to his involvement in the 2013 Lebanese match fixing scandal.
Club career El Ali began his senior career at Lebanese Premier League club Rayyan, during the 2004–05 season. The forward scored five goals. In 2005 El Ali moved to Ahed, scoring four goals and helping his side finish in fifth place during the 2005–06 season. The following season (2006–07), El Ali improved on his previous season's numbers, scoring 12 goals. However, Ahed finished in fifth place once again. In 2007–08, El Ali helped his side win their first league title, scoring three goals.
The following three seasons, El Ali lifted two more league titles (2009–10 and 2010–11), two Lebanese FA Cups (2008–09 and 2010–11), three Lebanese Elite Cups (2008, 2010, and 2011), and three Lebanese Super Cups (2008, 2010, 2011). The forward was also part of the Lebanese Premier League Team of the Season for two consecutive seasons, in 2010–11 and 2011–12.
In January 2013, El Ali moved to Indonesian Liga 1 side Persiba Balikpapan. He scored three goals in 16 league games. On 26 February 2013, El Ali was accused of illegal betting on several national and continental games concerning Lebanese teams and the national team. He was banned for life from football and was fined $15,000. Following El Ali's involvement in the 2013 Lebanese match-fixing scandal, on 26 April 2013, Persiba Balikpapan terminated El Ali's contract with the club.
International career El Ali made his international debut for Lebanon 16 June 2007, at the 2007 WAFF Championship, against Syria; Lebanon lost 1–0. The Lebanese forward's first international goal came on 23 September 2007, in a friendly against the United Arab Emirates (UAE); the match finished in a 1–1 draw. On 17 July 2011, El Ali scored his first, and only, international brace; he scored twice against the UAE in a friendly.
In 2013, El Ali was accused of match fixing a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification game against Qatar, on 14 November 2012, purposely throwing the match in the opponents favour. Lebanon lost 1–0. Following the investigations, on 24 April 2013 El Ali was banned for life from the sport. El Ali retired with 12 goals in 46 appearances for the national team.
Career statistics
International +List of international goals scored by Mahmoud El Ali No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition1 23 September 2007 Dubai, United Arab Emirates 1–1 Draw Friendly2 8 October 2007 Saida, Lebanon 4–1 Win 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification3 2 January 2008 Kuwait City, Kuwait 2–3 Loss Friendly4 9 April 2008 Beirut, Lebanon 4–0 Win 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification5 7 June 2008 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 1–4 Loss 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification6 21 January 2009 Phuket, Thailand 2–1 Loss 2009 King's Cup7 6 January 2010 Sidon, Lebanon 1–1 Draw 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification8 17 July 2011 Al Ain, United Arab Emirates2–6 Loss Friendly910 23 July 2011 Beirut, Lebanon 4–0 Win 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification11 11 November 2011 Kuwait City, Kuwait 1–0 Win 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification12 29 February 2012 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 2–4 Loss 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification
Honours Ahed Lebanese Premier League: 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11 Lebanese FA Cup: 2008–09, 2010–11 Lebanese Elite Cup: 2008, 2010, 2011 Lebanese Super Cup: 2008, 2010, 2011
Individual Lebanese Premier League Team of the Season: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2010–11, 2011–12
See also List of Lebanon international footballers
References
External links
Mahmoud El Ali at RSSSF