Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah received a very good news ahead of Egypt’s table topping clash against the Cranes of Uganda as his wish was granted by the Egyptian FA. Just two days after being dropped from Egypt’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations squad, the Egyptian FA have announced Amr Warda has now rejoined the camp.
The Egyptian Football Association announced on Wednesday that 25-year-old midfielder who plies his football trade in Greece had been dropped from the squad due to ‘behavioural reasons’.
The 25-year-old had been accused of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour by various women online, which led to him being left out of the squad ahead of the Pharaohs’ 2-0 win against DR Congo. During the match, Egypt goalscorer Ahmed Elmohamady showed his support for Warda after making the ’22’ gesture with his hands after scoring the opener – symbolizing his squad number – while defender Baher Elmohamady lifted a Warda jersey while on the bench.
“Amr Warda is one of us and we all make mistakes. We will not leave Warda alone,” the Aston Villa player told reporters. “Warda represented Egypt on many occasions before, and what we should do is to stand by him. “No player should be held accountable for anything done outside the pitch. We support Amr Warda.”
The support continued online, with Egypt stars Mohamed Salah, Ahmed Hegazi and others calling for forgiveness and ‘second chances’, and the player himself released a video apology following the situation.
Women must be treated with the utmost respect. “No” means “no”. Those things are and must remain sacred. I also believe that many who make mistakes can change for the better and shouldn’t be sent straight to the guillotine, which is the easiest way out.
— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) June 26, 2019
The Liverpool star’s tweet read: “Women must be treated with the utmost respect. ‘No’ means ‘no’. Those things are and must remain sacred. “I also believe that many who make mistakes can change for the better and shouldn’t be sent straight to the guillotine, which is the easiest way out.”
We need to believe in second chances… we need to guide and educate. Shunning is not the answer.
— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) June 26, 2019
The Liverpool forward then added in a second tweet: “We need to believe in second chances… we need to guide and educate. Shunning is not the answer.”
During the early hours on Friday morning, Ahmed Shobeir, the Egyptian Football Association’s vice-president, announced on his official Facebook page that Amr Warda has officially returned to the squad. It remains to be seen if Egypt’s Mexican coach Javier Aguirre, who told KingFut that Warda’s exclusion would not affect the team, will include him in his plans ahead of the Pharaohs’ final group stage match against Uganda on Sunday.
Do you think this is a good move from the Egyptian FA or they should stick with their decision? Share your view on this in the comment section below… Thanks