The Benin Republic national football team coach, Gernot Rohr, has taken action regarding Junior Olaitan’s unavailability for upcoming matches. The Benin Football Federation has officially reported Goztepe, Olaitan’s Turkish Super Lig club, to FIFA. The complaint arises from Goztepe’s refusal to release Olaitan for the crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Details of the Incident
Junior Olaitan is currently hindered from joining the national squad due to an undisclosed injury. His absence means that he will miss two important matches against Rwanda and Lesotho. The midfielder, who was born in Nigeria but chose to represent Benin, had not participated in the last two games for Goztepe.
FIFA Regulations
- FIFA rules require clubs to release players to their national teams, regardless of injury status.
- Gernot Rohr emphasized this obligation, stating, “Even an injured player must report to his national team’s training camp.”
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Rohr’s statement highlights the significance of such regulations and the impact on national team preparations. The Benin national team is currently leading Group C of the African qualifying series, benefitting from a penalty imposed on South Africa.
FIFA deducted three points from South Africa after identifying that they had played an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their victory against Lesotho in March. This situation underscores the importance of compliance with international regulations in football.
The Benin Football Federation hopes that FIFA will address the issue with Goztepe promptly. The potential impact on the squad’s performance in the World Cup qualifiers remains a pressing concern.
