Mo Salah ‘awarded honourary citizenship of Chechnya’

Mo Salah has reportedly been awarded honourary citizenship of Chechnya.

Russian news agency Interfax claims the Egypt squad was invited to dinner by the Chechen authorities where Salah was told of his award.

The Liverpool forward is believed to have been given a copy of the decree and a badge and he reportedly thanked the authorities their hospitality.

Egypt have lost their opening two games in the World Cup, with just a meaningless tie against Saudi Arabia to come.

Salah, who came into the tournament recovering from a dislocated shoulder, has struggled in defeats by Russia and Uruguay.

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The forward met controversial leader Ramzan Kadyrov earlier this month and photos quickly circulated.

Kadyrov’s rule has reportedly involved routine torture and the purging of homosexuals.

Salah injured his shoulder in Liverpool’s Champions League defeat by Real Madrid last month.

He faced a race against time to be fit for the finals in Russia but started the defeat by Uruguay on the bench.

Salah started against the hosts but his side were beaten 3-1.