The Benin Republic national team has reported Turkish Süper Lig club Göztepe to FIFA after the club prevented midfielder Junior Olaitan from joining the national squad for World Cup qualifiers. Coach Gernot Rohr explained that Göztepe’s decision was based on an undisclosed injury that has kept Olaitan out of the club’s last two matches. Consequently, Olaitan will miss Benin’s final two 2026 World Cup qualifying games against Rwanda and Lesotho.
Despite the injury, FIFA regulations require clubs to release players to their national federations. 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 currently leads Group C in the African qualifying series, a position bolstered by FIFA’s three‑point deduction against South Africa after that team fielded ineligible player Teboho Mokoena in a 2‑0 win over Lesotho last March. Olaitan, who was born in Nigeria but chose to represent Benin, will now be absent from the team’s crucial upcoming matches.
The dispute underscores the ongoing challenges national teams face in securing player releases from clubs, especially when injuries are cited. While FIFA’s rules aim to protect national team rights and ensure fair play, conflicts such as this can still arise. The Benin report to FIFA is likely to trigger an investigation and possible sanctions against Göztepe, a case that may set a precedent for future club‑national team disputes.
Meanwhile, Benin will focus on securing victories in its remaining qualifiers, hoping to advance to the next tournament stage. With a current lead in Group C, the team is well‑positioned, though the absence of key players like Olaitan could pose a challenge.
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