West Ham files complaint with FIFA against the Democratic Republic of the Congo

West Ham United have lodged a complaint with FIFA after alleging that the Democratic Republic of Congo did not authorize the release of Aaron Wan-Bissaka to return to their club ahead of their FA Cup quarter-final match against Leeds United, nytimes.com reports.

The 27-year-old right-back missed his team’s penalty shootout defeat on Sunday after helping the Democratic Republic of the Congo qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1974.

The African nation defeated Jamaica in the final of the intercontinental playoff in Mexico, before returning to its capital, Kinshasa, to celebrate with President Félix Tshisekedi.

Sources with knowledge of the situation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to protect relations, say West Ham did not give Wan-Bissaka permission to remain in the DRC for the celebrations. Sources say the club had a flight scheduled for the defender to return to London, but he did not show up.

Wan-Bissaka, who joined from Manchester United for £15m in August 2024 on a seven-year deal, switched his international allegiance from England, for whom he never made a senior appearance, to the DRC and played nine times for the nation since September.

The defender has recorded three assists in 22 Premier League games for West Ham this season. He was named the club’s player of the year in 2024-25 and has been the first choice under coach Nuno Espirito Santo.

Kyle Walker-Peters, signed at the end of his contract with Southampton last summer, deputized at right-back against Leeds in Wan-Bissaka’s absence. He is expected to return to action for this Friday’s important league match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

West Ham are in the relegation zone, one point behind Tottenham Hotspur in 17th place. A win for Nuno’s team could see Tottenham drop into the bottom three for the first time this season.