Egypt winger Amr Warda has been excluded from the team's camp for the current African Cup of Nations for disciplinary reasons, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) revealed on Wednesday's morning.
"EFA president Hani Abou-Rida decided to exclude Warda from the camp after discussion with the team's technical and managerial staffs," reads a statement on the EFA's official Facebook page.
"The decision was made to keep ensure discipline and concentration in the team."
Warda's omission comes just a few hours ahead of Egypt's anticipated match against DR Congo on Wednesday night in the second round of the prestigious tournament's group stage.
Hosts Egypt secured a narrow 1-0 win over Zimbabwe in the AFCON opener on Friday. The 25-year PAOK player Warda, who played as a second half substitute in the opener, came under fire hours after the Zimbabwe win over accusations of inappropriate behavior on social media.
Several women accused Warda of sexual harassment over the past three days, leading to reports that the player might be expelled from the Nations Cup. While Egypt coach Javier Aguirre denied having a problem with Warda in a press conference on Tuesday, saying that the winger would be remaining with the team, an official EFA statement announcing Warda's removal was released on Wednesday.
The Egypt team will continue the tournament with 22 players. 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.
Egypt, the record seven-time African champions, will face Uganda in their last Group A match on 30 June. With Aguirre at the helm, the Pharaohs are optimistic about winning the precious title of AFCON champions for the first time since 2010, which would be their eighth victory.
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