Heritier Luvumbu, a Congolese footballer, has returned to his home country following a political gesture that seemingly led to his departure from a prominent Rwandan club.
Rayon Sports announced the termination of its association with midfielder Heritier Luvumbu. This decision came shortly after Luvumbu received a six-month ban for a gesture expressing solidarity with victims of conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Luvumbu found himself in trouble after making a specific hand gesture—covering his mouth with his left hand while pointing his fingers to his temple, resembling a gun—after scoring a free-kick during a game against Police FC on Sunday.
This gesture was reminiscent of a similar expression made by the DR Congo national team before their Africa Cup of Nations semi-final match against Ivory Coast, advocating for peace in the troubled eastern region of the DRC, where the M23 rebel group has caused significant unrest.
Following Luvumbu’s action, Rayon Sports issued a statement condemning his behavior as “misconduct.” Subsequently, the Rwanda Football Association suspended Luvumbu from playing for six months, citing regulations prohibiting political symbols or statements in football. Rayon Sports later announced the mutual termination of Luvumbu’s contract.
The Congolese Sports Ministry confirmed Luvumbu’s return to DR Congo, sharing images of him meeting with the sports minister upon his arrival. Luvumbu, who joined Rayon Sports in 2021 from Moroccan club Youssoufia Berrechid, had his contract with the Rwandan club renewed for one year in August.
Prior to his time in Rwanda, Luvumbu played for AS Vita Club in Kinshasa, one of DR Congo’s oldest football clubs, founded in 1935.
