Egypt winger Amr Warda has been given the green light to rejoin the national football team squad for the ongoing African Cup of Nations after the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) lifted his ban, the EFA vice president Ahmed Shobier announced early on Friday.
"Officially ... Amr Warda returns to Egypt's national team cam," Shobier wrote on his official facebook account.
The 25-year PAOK star was excluded from the team's camp for disciplinary reasons after coming under fire over accusations of inappropriate behavior on social media. More than one woman has accused him of sexual harassment over the past few days, leading to reports that the player might be expelled from the Nations Cup.
After the suspension, Warda received support from his teammates in the national team including the team's skipper, Ahmed Elmohamady, and Liverpool's star Mohamed Salah.
Elmohamady opened the scoring against DR Congo and made a "22" sign with his fingers in his goal celebration, in reference to the number of Warda's shirt.
"My celebration was for Warda, who is a member of our big family. We are all humans and we all make mistakes; we will not abandon him," the Aston Villa man told Egyptian sports channel Time Sports after the game.
"This is his personal life and as long as he is committed and disciplined with the team, we will not hold him accountable for things he does outside the team … we will stand by him and support him."
Moreover, Salah also showed support to Warda after Egypt defeated DR Congo 2-0 in the second round of the Group A games.
"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." Salah wrote on his twitter account.
Warda apologized to Egyptian fans via Facebook video saying "I apologize to my family, team mates, the EFA, and anyone whom I have made upset."
Warda received his first international call-up by former Egypt coach Hector Cuper in October 2015 for a friendly match against Zambia.
He has made 26 international appearances since then, scoring one goal and dishing out two assists.
Under the helm of coach Javier Aguirre, the Pharaohs are optimistic about winning the precious title of AFCON champions for the first time since 2010, which would be their eighth title.
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