Chancel Mbemba remains in DR Congo for ceremony, Lille expected him back Thursday | OneFootball

Chancel Mbemba has yet to return to Lille after DR Congo clinched World Cup qualification on Tuesday night. According to L'Équipe, he has been kept back for a ceremony under his country’s president as Lille prepare for Saturday’s derby with Lens at 21.05.

The defender played 120 minutes in the 1-0 extra-time win over Jamaica in Mexico, which sealed DR Congo’s first World Cup qualification since 1974.

While team-mate Mukau has already returned, the Leopards’ captain is due at the state event scheduled for Friday or Saturday.

LOSC president Olivier Létang said the Congolese federation had unilaterally retained players until Monday despite FIFA rules requiring a return to clubs within 48 hours, adding Mbemba should have been back on Thursday afternoon. He said the case is with FIFA’s disciplinary bodies, which he warned view the precedent as dangerous for paying clubs, and that the authorities have already written to the Congolese federation.

Létang said Lille were presented with a fait accompli and received only a note confirming the delayed return. He added that L'EFC, the European clubs’ association, and the players’ union are involved, that Lille would have released Mbemba after the Lens match, and that sanctions could be taken against the Congolese federation.

Source: L'Équipe