2026 WCQ: ‘We’ve reported them to FIFA’ – Gernot Rohr on club’s refusal to release Olaitan

The coach of the Benin Republic national team, Gernot Rohr has said his the country’s FA has reported the Turkish Super Lig club Goztepe has been reported to the football governing body, FIFA.

This was due to the club’s decision to prevent Junior Olaitan from joining the national team for world cup qualifiers.

The club were said to have refused to allow the midfielder join up with his national team because he is currently nursing an undisclosed injury.

This means that he would not be featuring in Benin Republic’s last two matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Lesotho.

Olaitan, who grew up Nigeria but opted to represent Benin Republic, did not play the last two games for Goztepe.

The Turkish side are obligated under Fifa regulations to release Olaitan to the Benin Football Federation whether the player is injured or not.

According to quotes by Mega Sports, 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 denounce this situation. Even an injured player must report to his national team’s training camp.”

Benin Republic are currently top of the Group C of the African qualifying series due to FIFA’s decision to deduct 3 points from South Africa.

FIFA took the decision after South Africa fielded an ineligible player Teboho Mokoena during the 2-0 victory against Lesotho last March.