West Ham ‘have filed’ FIFA complaint over Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s Leeds absence | OneFootball

According to The Athletic, West Ham have filed a complaint with FIFA. They allege DR Congo did not release Aaron Wan-Bissaka for Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Leeds United, which finished 2-2 before Leeds won 4-2 on penalties.

West Ham object to the Congolese federation keeping the defender to celebrate a 1-0 extra-time win over Jamaica in the World Cup 2026 play-off final, a first World Cup qualification in 52 years for the Leopards. The squad marked the achievement in Kinshasa on Sunday alongside president Félix Tshisekedi.

The Hammers had not authorised Wan-Bissaka to remain in the country and chartered a plane for his return to London on Friday 3 April, but he did not board. The 28-year-old, who has played 62 matches since joining in 2024, returned to training on Tuesday and is expected to start against Wolverhampton on Friday at 21:00, with the north-east London club 18th on 29 points.

He has not been sanctioned by the club.

In Ligue 1, Congolese defenders Arthur Masuaku of RC Lens and Chancel Mbemba of LOSC also missed the weekend’s northern derby, which Lille won 3-0. Lille president Olivier Létang has contacted FIFA over Mbemba’s absence and criticised a unilateral decision to keep players until Monday 6 April despite FIFA’s 48-hour return rule. The dispute is straining relations between clubs and the Congolese set-up, which could face fines or compensation claims.

Source: L'Équipe