Bani Yas defender Mohammed Jaber bid his UAE team-mates farewell after he was discarded from the final 22-player list to take part in the Olympics football.
Jaber had been training with the squad in Switzerland and Austria, but returned to the UAE as Mahdi Ali’s men arrived in Manchester to prepare for Thursday’s opening group game against Uruguay.
“I’m really sad that I won’t be at the Olympics, a massive event that is watched by millions of people,” said Jaber.
“But at the same time I wish the UAE team the best of luck and that they represent our country in the best way possible by getting positive results.”
The UAE, who will be sporting red jerseys in the group stage, face a Luis Suarez-led Uruguay side first before they take on hosts Team GB at Wembley on July 29 and then African outfit Senegal on August 1.
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