2026 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: GERNOT ROHR ALLEGES CLUB REPORTED TO FIFA OVER OLAITAN’S RELEASE REFUSAL

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By: Muftau Fatimo

Benin Republic national team coach, Gernot Rohr, revealed that the country’s Football Association has reported Turkish Super Lig club Göztepe to FIFA.

This action followed the club’s refusal to release midfielder Junior Olaitan for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Göztepe reportedly declined to allow Olaitan to join the national team, citing that he is currently recovering from an undisclosed injury.

This means Junior Olaitan will miss Benin Republic’s final two matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Lesotho.

Olaitan, who was raised in Nigeria but chose to represent Benin Republic, did not feature in Göztepe’s last two games.

Under FIFA regulations, the Turkish club is required to release Olaitan to the Benin Football Federation, regardless of whether the player is injured.

In comments reported by Mega Sports, 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 must report to his national team’s training camp.”

Benin Republic currently lead Group C in the African qualifiers, following FIFA’s decision to deduct three points from South Africa.

The deduction came after South Africa fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, during their 2-0 win over Lesotho last March.