Leeds United's FA Cup quarter-final hosts were without a key player following the international break.
West Ham have reportedly submitted a complaint to FIFA regarding defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s absence against Leeds United.
Leeds travelled to the London Stadium for a huge FA Cup quarter-final tie on Sunday, eventually winning 4-2 on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 draw. Daniel Farke’s side were two goals up going into added-time in normal time but a late West Ham double forced another 30 minutes.
After a goalless extra-time, Joel Piroe and Jarrod Bowen both missed penalties before Leeds quartet Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Brenden Aaronson, Willy Gnonto and Pascal Struijk buried their efforts. The latter’s finish off the post won it, with Lucas Perri denying Pablo Felipe beforehand.
Managers Daniel Farke and Nuno Espirito Santo both made a few changes to their respective line-ups on Sunday but for the latter, one was forced - and not due to injury. Right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka was not involved at the London Stadium and was instead in DR Congo celebrating World Cup qualification.
Wan-Bissaka played the full 90 minutes as his nation beat Jamaica in an international World Cup play-off on Tuesday before returning to DR Congo for a celebratory parade with teammates and president Felix Tshisekedi. The Athletic now report that West Ham allege the African nation did not allow his exit in time for an FA Cup return.
According to the report, West Ham did not sanction an extended absence for Wan-Bissaka and had a flight scheduled for his return to London. The defender, however, did not turn up to that scheduled departure and was spotted at an open-top bus parade in DR Congo capital Kinshasa. Both FIFA and DR Congo have been contacted by The Athletic.
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Wan-Bissaka has been one of West Ham’s most consistent defensive performers this season, starting 21 Premier League games including each of the last 10. In his place on Sunday was Kyle Walker-Peters, who struggled against Noah Okafor but buried his shootout penalty.
Leeds will now head down to the Vitality Stadium on Wednesday April 22, with kick-off at 8pm and the game broadcast live on Sky Sports. Semi-final opponents Chelsea have a shorter journey to the south coast and a 24-hour advantage as they face Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Tuesday April 21.
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