Heritier Luvumbu Departs Rayon Sports After Controversial Gesture
In a surprising turn of events, midfielder Heritier Luvumbu has parted ways with Rwanda’s Rayon Sports following a six-month ban over a symbolic gesture expressing solidarity with war victims in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). The gesture, involving covering his mouth with his left hand while mimicking a gun with pointed fingers to his temple, drew attention during a match against Police FC. DR Congo, along with the US and UN experts, accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group causing havoc in the east. Rwanda consistently denies these allegations.
Luvumbu’s departure comes after a brief ban from Rwanda’s Football Association, citing the prohibition of political symbols or words in football. Rayon Sports, the popular Rwandan club, released a statement denouncing Luvumbu’s “bad conduct.” Subsequently, a mutual agreement was reached for the termination of Luvumbu’s contract.
The symbolic gesture had been previously employed by DR Congo’s national team in a call for peace in the troubled eastern region, where the M23 rebel group has escalated violence. Luvumbu, who joined Rayon Sports in 2021 from Moroccan club Youssoufia Berrechid, renewed his contract with the Rwandan club in August 2021.
The incident has sparked discussions about the intersection of sports and political expression, raising questions about the limits and consequences of such gestures within the football community.
