A little over a week back, reports had emerged that the UAE had detained Ali Issa Ahmad, a British man, who wore the Qatar national team’s tee-shirt to an AFC Asian Cup match in Dubai, UAE.

The report sent shockwaves through the sporting world and soon, fans and international media took up the cause.

It seems the pressure has finally paid off, with Ahmad being released and successfully leaving the country, reported Sky News. 

The 26-year-old man was arrested in Sharjah on January 22 during Qatar’s pre-quarterfinal match against Iraq. The dual British-Sudanese national, who lives in Wolverhampton, had been on holiday in the UAE.

The chocolate factory worker claimed he had been attacked as he left the match. The ardent Arsenal fan then said he was arrested and accused of making up the assault when he went to police to report the attack. UAE officials said his injuries were self-inflicted.

Ahmad originally faced 15 years in jail after allegedly being forced to sign a confession in Arabic, reported the Daily Mail. 

“We’ve a very precise understanding of what Ali is going through,” Radha Stirling, CEO and founder of pressure group Detained in Dubai, had said.

“The situation in UAE detention centres is bleak, and particularly so in Sharjah, a less developed emirate in the country with an even more regressive attitude towards human rights,” she said.