NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Benin Republic head coach, Gernot Rohr, has revealed that the country’s Football Federation has reported Turkish Super Lig club Göztepe to FIFA.
According to Rohr, the complaint stems from the club’s refusal to release midfielder Junior Olaitan for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches.
Göztepe reportedly declined to allow the player join the national team, citing that he is currently recovering from an undisclosed injury.
This development means Junior Olaitan will miss Benin Republic’s remaining two fixtures in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Lesotho.
Olaitan, who was born in Nigeria but chose to represent Benin Republic, has not featured in Göztepe’s last two matches. Despite this, FIFA regulations mandate that clubs must release players for international duty — even if they are injured.
Speaking to Mega Sports, Benin Republic head coach Gernot Rohr said:
“He is not with us because his club prevented him from joining the national team. We have therefore sent a letter to FIFA to report this situation. Even an injured player is required to report to his national team’s camp.”
Benin currently sit top of Group C in the African qualifiers, benefiting from FIFA’s recent decision to deduct three points from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their 2-0 win over Lesotho last March.
