West Ham United have filed a formal complaint with FIFA following a dispute involving the release and return of defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka from international duty with DR Congo national football team.
The Premier League side allege that the Congolese federation did not properly sanction Wan-Bissaka’s scheduled return to London after international fixtures in Mexico. According to reports, West Ham had arranged travel for the player to fly directly back to England, but he failed to board the flight as planned.
Club officials are understood to have denied permission for Wan-Bissaka to remain with the national team for post-qualification celebrations. DR Congo secured qualification for the FIFA World Cup 5 clear days before returning (Tuesday), but instead of returning immediately, the squad reportedly stayed in Mexico before later traveling to Kinshasa on Sunday for a celebratory parade.
The timing of the celebrations has become a key point of contention, with West Ham arguing that the events took place outside the official FIFA-sanctioned international window. The club maintains that this breached agreed protocols regarding player release and return.
FIFA is now expected to review the complaint, as tensions rise between club and country release for international engagement.