Benin Coach Gernot Rohr Accuses Turkish Club Goztepe Of Blocking Olaitan From World Cup Duty

Benin Republic head coach Gernot Rohr has confirmed that the country’s football federation has reported Turkish Super Lig club Goztepe to FIFA for refusing to release midfielder Junior Olaitan for international duty.

Olaitan was expected to join the Squirrels for their final two 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Lesotho, but the Turkish side reportedly stopped him from linking up with the national team, claiming he is nursing an undisclosed injury.

Speaking to Mega Sports, Rohr expressed disappointment over the club’s actions, insisting that Goztepe’s decision goes against FIFA’s regulations, which require clubs to release players called up for international matches, even if they are injured.

“He is not with us because his club prevented him from joining the national team,” Rohr said. “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.”

Olaitan, who was born in Nigeria but chose to represent the Benin Republic, has missed Goztepe’s last two matches. Rohr and his coaching staff had hoped to assess his fitness during camp, but the club’s stance has made that impossible.

Naija News reports that Benin currently sit at the top of Group C of the African qualifiers after FIFA deducted three points from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their 2-0 win over Lesotho in March.

The Squirrels will face Rwanda and Lesotho knowing that two positive results could strengthen their hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup.