FIFA was uncomfortable with the ‘silent presence’ — the motionless tribute from the ‘Lumumba Vea’ fan —, mainly because it considered it a political demonstration.
Main reason: FIFA rules against political protests in stadiums. The entity prohibits political, religious or any kind of demonstrations during the games.
Fan Michel Nkuka Mboladinga (known as Lumumba Vea) remains motionless for 90 minutes, in a pose that pays homage to Patrice Lumumba (symbol of Congo’s independence and anti-colonial struggle). In some games, he added gestures such as covering his mouth or simulating a gun to his head — interpreted as a protest against the international ‘silence’ regarding the conflicts in eastern Congo (violence, mineral exploration and humanitarian crisis).
FIFA saw the tribute as disguised political activism, violating its ‘neutrality’. For many Africans and activists, however, it is just a legitimate cultural and historical tribute.
Lumumba Vea attended games in Mexico but was unable to get a visa to the US (official claim: Ebola outbreaks). Congo was eliminated by England, with excellent football. Lumumba Vea was not in Atlanta, but his peaceful message reached the world with a ‘thunderous silence’.
