Sebastien Desabre addresses the incident involving clubs during the international break

The manager of the Democratic Republic of Congo national team has clarified the situation regarding certain players who were late in returning to their clubs.

Some Congolese internationals had chosen to extend their stay with the national team in order to celebrate with the Congolese people the Leopards’ qualification for the World Cup 52 years on. A decision that had not pleased certain European clubs who wanted their players back within the regulatory timeframe. In response to the criticism, Sebastien Desabre was keen to point out in an interview with Afrikfoot that the Congolese national team had not broken any rules.

The clubs are doing their job. Lille brought Ngal’ Ayel Mukau back before the weekend. But I want to stress that we have always respected FIFA’s rules. Most clubs have therefore been understanding. They grasped how important it was for the players to go and celebrate this qualification with the Congolese people.