West Ham United has filed a complaint with FIFA, claiming that DR Congo failed to properly sanction Aaron Wan-Bissaka鈥檚 return to his club before an FA Cup quarter-final against Leeds United. The 27-year-old right-back missed the match following DR Congo's historic World Cup qualification. West Ham alleges that they did not authorize Wan-Bissaka to stay in Kinshasa for the celebratory events, claiming he missed a scheduled flight back to London. Wan-Bissaka has switched his allegiance to DR Congo, having represented them in nine matches since September.

By the Numbers
  • Aaron Wan-Bissaka has played 9 matches for DR Congo.
  • He has 3 assists in 22 Premier League appearances for West Ham this season.
State of Play
  • West Ham is currently in the relegation zone, one point behind 17th-place Tottenham Hotspur.
  • The club is set to play Wolverhampton Wanderers in a critical league match this Friday.
What's Next

If West Ham wins against Wolverhampton, they could push Tottenham into the relegation zone for the first time this season, impacting both teams' standings significantly.

Bottom Line

West Ham's complaint underscores the ongoing complications surrounding international releases and player permissions, which can significantly affect club performance. Their next match is crucial for both survival in the Premier League and Wan-Bissaka's immediate role in the squad.