Heritier Nzinga Luvumbu of Rayon Sports FC, a front striker for the Congolese national team, has been prohibited for six months from any football-related activity in Rwanda.
The Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) disciplinary committee made the decision after discovering that Luvumbu, an international striker for Congo, had displayed political symbols and gestures. These are in violation of the rules established by FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and the local federation regarding the association of sports and politics.
Luvumbu scored a huge free kick on match day 20 of the Rwanda Premier League (RPL) between Rayon FC and Police FC to put his club in the lead in the league standings.
In a symbolic gesture intended to deceive the public about the origins of the violence in the eastern part of the country, Luvumbu celebrated by putting a hand over his mouth and two fingers on his temple. This move is understood as a shot to kill.
The striker’s celebration sparked a heated debate in which some called for his suspension and others accused him of politicizing the sport. Videos from the past demonstrate that the guy was celebrating, but his teammates would stop him.
