Benin international Olivier Verdon suspended from national team duties for six months

Benin international Olivier Verdon has been suspended from all national team activities for six months after disciplinary action was taken by the Benin Football Federation (FBF).

The federation confirmed the decision on Thursday, announcing that the defender had been sanctioned following what it described as a formal disciplinary process.

According to the FBF, the punishment includes a six-month suspension from all Benin national teams, as well as an additional six-month suspended sentence.

In a statement, the governing body explained that the decision was reached after several violations of internal regulations and national team requirements were identified.

“This decision follows the discovery of several breaches of rules of discipline, internal operation, respect for instructions from management and obligations of collective life applicable to all players called up for national selection.”

The suspension means Verdon will be unavailable for selection and will not take part in any activity linked to Benin’s national teams during the period of the sanction.

The federation said the measure was necessary to protect the standards and values expected within the national setup.

According to the statement, the objective is to:

“[preserve] the authority of the technical staff, the cohesion of the group, the equal treatment of all players as well as the values of discipline, responsibility and exemplary conduct which must prevail within national teams.”

The FBF also stressed that all individuals involved in Beninese football are expected to comply with the same regulations, regardless of their profile or standing within the game.

The federation reaffirmed its commitment to applying rules equally and maintaining discipline across all levels of the national team structure.

In addition, the governing body stated that it would not provide any further details regarding the circumstances that led to the sanction.

According to the FBF, this decision was taken to safeguard the interests of the institution, the national team and the individuals concerned.

For now, Verdon will remain unavailable for national team selection while the suspension is in force, with the federation standing by its decision and its commitment to enforcing discipline within Benin’s football structures.