United States: Cédric Bakambu enters legal battle after leaving San Diego FC

The Congolese player files a complaint in a California federal court

Africa Today at 08:50

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United States: Cédric Bakambu enters legal battle after leaving San Diego FC

Having already left San Diego after just two months, Cédric Bakambu is now embroiled in a legal battle in the United States.

Three days after announcing the premature end of his spell at San Diego FC, DR Congo international Cédric Bakambu has found himself at the centre of a case that goes beyond sport. The Congolese striker and his wife, Anne-Laure Hueber, have filed a complaint in a California federal court alleging housing discrimination. A real estate agency, two agents and two landlords are named in the player's complaint.

Bakambu alleges discrimination

According to the complaint, reviewed by ESPN, the couple believe they were discriminated against on the basis of their “familial status”. Cédric Bakambu and his wife say that having five children affected the outcome of their rental applications.

The first case involved a house listed at $17,500 a month. After learning the children’s ages, the agency allegedly required a fence to be installed around the pool, at an estimated cost of $6,000. Bakambu had agreed to pay for it, offered to pay a year's rent in advance and signed a document making him responsible for the use of the pool.

🚨 𝗕𝗔𝗞𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗨 𝗔 𝗩É𝗖𝗨 𝗟𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗨𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗔𝗥 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗭 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗣😭 Le divorce entre Cedric BAKAMBU et San Diego est désormais porté devant la justice américaine. Selon la plainte de l'attaquant congolais, lui et sa femme ont été victimes de discrimination dans deux négociations immobilières, en raison de la présence de leurs 5 enfants. Cette situation a obligé la famille de Cédric BAKAMBU à rester dans un logement temporaire payé entièrement par le Léopard lui-même. 👉 Bakambu a donc saisi la justice américaine pour réclamer réparation.
— LÉOPARDSACTU MÉDIA (@leopardsactu) November 10, 2026

His offer was not accepted. According to the plaintiffs, the listing was allegedly taken off the market after their real estate agent raised the possibility that this might violate rules protecting equal access to housing. Bakambu and his wife then offered $23,500 a month for a second property. Their offer reportedly went unanswered, while the property was later listed at $20,000 before also being taken off the market. The couple also allege they faced possible retaliation after challenging the way the first application was handled.

The plaintiffs are seeking damages, the amount of which has not been disclosed.

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Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.