Mo Salah considering quitting international football with Egypt over Chechnya outrage
Liverpool star was pictured with Russian state's warlord Ramzan Kadyrov and feels his FA have made him out to be a political pawn
FURIOUS Mo Salah could quit international football after being used in Chechen politics, according to reports.
The Egypt superstar was made an honorary citizen by the southern Russian state's warlord Ramzan Kadyrov.
But a source told that Salah, 26, is unhappy with the situation and feels the Egyptian FA have allowed him to become a political pawn.
The report claims Salah does not want to be drawn on anything beyond football or be used for political gain.
Video footage released by Russian state-funded news agency RT showed Salah smiling as Kremlin-backed Kadyrov gave a speech and pinned a badge bearing the Chechen flag to his shirt.
Egypt's World Cup training camp is based in Chechnya and Kadyrov has taken the opportunity to be pictured alongside the Liverpool superstar.
Kadyrov took charge of Chechnya in 2007, backed by the Kremlin to impose tight control in the Muslim region where Russia had fought two brutal and costly wars to crush separatists since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
He wrote on social media: "Mohamed Salah is an honorary citizen of the Chechen Republic! That's right!"
"I gave Mohamed Salah a copy of the order and a pin at a celebratory dinner that I gave in honour of the Egyptian team."
Kadyrov has been accused of human rights violations, including discriminating against women and persecuting sexual minorities.
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He has denied human rights abuses and rejected the idea he was using Salah for propaganda purposes.
Kadyrov told the BBC: "We don't use this kind of thing for politics.
"Our enemies are paid to write articles like that. I didn't invite Mohamed Salah or the Egyptian team, they chose us themselves."
Salah missed Egypt's World Cup opening defeat against Uruguay with a shoulder injury and could not inspire them to victory against Russia.
The Pharaohs, who cannot reach the knockout rounds, face Saudi Arabia in their final clash tomorrow.