AFCON: Banned over sexual harassment claims, Amr Warda recalled by Egypt

During a cordial meeting held with the Egypt players and technical staff, Hany Abo Rida, president of the EFA, "praised the spirit of solidarity between the players, and their desire to pardon their colleague Amr Warda and to lift the suspension from him".

Egypt had expelled midfielder Amr Warda from its squad for the rest of the African Cup of Nations for a beach of discipline after he allegedly sexually harassed women on social media.

Egypt striker Amr Warda has been welcomed back into their African Cup of Nations squad 48 hours after he was suspended for disciplinary reasons, the Egyptian FA (EFA) said on Friday.

Warda will still be banned for Egypt's final pool match against Uganda on Sunday, but is available for the second round, with the hosts having already sealed a knockout place.

بعد عقد جلسة مع اللاعبين المهندس@AbouRidaHany قرر تخفيض عقوبة الإيقاف على اللاعب عمرو وردة حتى نهاية الدور الأول للبطولة فقط .
وأكد أبو ريدة للاعبين على مطلبه ومطلب الجميع منهم أن يستمر هذا التكاتف بينهم وينعكس على آدائهم في الملعب لإسعاد جماهيرهم وشعب مصر

— Egypt National Football Team (@Pharaohs) June 28, 2019

 

The EFA gave no specific details about the reasons for Warda's initial expulsion, but he has previously been accused of sexually harassing a fashion model on Instagram, and a complaint against him has been filed with Egypt's Attorney General.

READ | Egypt footballer Amr Warda banned over sexual harassment claims

His return comes after a public apology on Thursday and support shown by his team mates, including Liverpool striker Mo Salah, who appeared incensed at the EFA decision.

The association issued a statement on Friday, saying Egypt's Minister of Youth and Sports, Ashraf Sobhi, had held a cordial meeting with the players and technical staff in the presence of Hany Abo Rida, president of the EFA.

"During the meeting, Hani Abo Reda praised the spirit of solidarity between the players, and their desire to pardon their colleague Amr Warda and to lift the suspension from him, the statement said.

"The association has decided to reduce the player's penalty to suspension until the end of the first round only."

 

WARDA APOLOGY

Warda had posted a video on Facebook in which he apologised to his family, team mates, the EFA and "anyone who is upset at me or anyone I have upset."

Salah felt the EFA had been too hasty and harsh in their punishment of the player.

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

"Women must be treated with the utmost respect," he said. "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."

Team captain Ahmed Elmohamady, who held up two fingers on each hand to make Warda's squad number 22 after scoring against Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday, said the EFA was wrong to expel the Greek-based forward.

"Amr Warda is one of us and we all make mistakes. We will not leave Warda alone," he told reporters. "No player should be held accountable for anything done outside the pitch. We support Amr Warda."