Egypt striker Amr Warda kicked out of AFCON squad after 'sending aggressive and inappropriate sexual messages' to Instagram model Merhan Keller and others
Posted Thursday, June 27, 2019 by Thesun.co.uk
EGYPT star Amr Warda has been thrown out of their Africa Cup of Nations squad amid allegations of sexual harassment towards a string of women.
Warda, a team-mate of Liverpool ace Mo Salah, came on as substitute in the host nation's opening game victory over Zimbabwe last week.
Amr Warda has been axed from the Egypt squad at the Africa Cup of Nations amid allegations of sexual harassment of womenCredit: EPA
Model Merhan Keller claims she was targeted by Amr WardaCredit: Instagram / @merhankeller
But hours before the country's second game was due to be played he was removed from the squad by the national football association.
An Egyptian-British model had gone public with what she claimed were inappropriate and aggressive messages sent to her on Instagram and WhatsApp.
Merhan Keller then went on to back up her own claims about being targeted by the 25-year-old with messages she said came from other women who had suffered similar treatment.
On Twitter, screenshots of messages and videos supposedly sent to women by Warda were shared - leading to the allegations becoming a major story in Egypt.
And after growing calls for the Egyptian FA to take action, they announced earlier today that Warda was no longer part of their squad.
Because of the nature of his exclusion, Egypt are unable to call up a replacement so will have to see out the remainder of the tournament with 22 players.
The FA president Abo Rida said the step was taken "in keeping with the team's discipline, commitment and focus".
Keller has maintained her account is genuine, and since she went public others have come forward to share information of their own experience.
It is claimed Warda, who currently plays his club football for Atromitos in Greece, had been the subject of a harassment claim against a fashion model on Instagram.
Egyptian-British model Keller posted screenshots of conversations she allegedly had with the Egypt starCredit: Instagram / @merhankeller
Keller claimed to have evidence from other women who had suffered a similar experience with WardaCredit: Instagram / @merhankeller
Merhan Keller claims Amr Warda sent her 'aggressive and sexual' messagesCredit: Instagram / @merhankeller
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