Brian Cipenga saga: DRC celebrate as Castellón wait anxiously | OneFootball

Kinshasa is in party mode after a historic achievement, but at el SkyFi Castalia it is fast becoming a major problem. Brian Cipenga, a key figure in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup, has yet to return to CD Castellón, who are among the LaLiga clubs affected alongside Elche CF, RCD Espanyol and Real Betis.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Castellón believe Cipenga’s extended stay for national celebrations falls outside the FIFA window and therefore beyond the mandatory release period.

The absence arrives at a delicate point in the season, with the team chasing important targets and Pablo Hernández’s planning disrupted. There is also unease over the legal and insurance implications of a stay beyond official dates.

The club’s stance is that the obligation to release internationals is limited to FIFA calendar slots, and any extension should be agreed by clubs in advance. The DRC celebrations have, in their view, left a player still far from Castellón when he should already be back.

The situation has escalated, with LaLiga working with the affected clubs to assess potential claims. Within the albinegro camp there is particular concern that what has happened with Cipenga could set a dangerous precedent for future international call-ups.

In a matter of days, Brian Cipenga has gone from symbol of an unforgettable night for Congolese football to the focal point of a dispute echoing around CD Castellón.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo