Liverpool are considering challenging Fifa and playing Joel Matip against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup.
Selecting Matip will force the governing body to adjudicate on whether the defender is eligible to play for his club while his former international country, Cameroon, participate in the African Nations Cup.
Liverpool have been left infuriated by Fifa’s refusal to offer guidance on the matter. Fifa have responded by quoting their rules regarding players’ availability, in which it makes it clear if a player is selected by his association he is obliged to accept his selection and he can not play for his club.
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As far as Liverpool are concerned, Matip has not been available for Cameroon since September, 2015 when he made it known he no longer wished to be under consideration. That assertion was repeated earlier this season.
Matip has not played for Cameroon since September 2015 CREDIT: REUTERS
Matip was not named in the Cameroon squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, but Liverpool received no clarification as to whether that means he can play for his club.
Fifa’s current stance has done nothing to resolve the impasse.
“We can confirm that Liverpool FC contacted Fifa about the matter,” a Fifa spokesman responded.
“Our services answered by directing the club to the applicable provisions.”
The statement continued: “A player who has been called up by his association for one of its representative teams is, unless otherwise agreed by the relevant association, not entitled to play for the club with which he is registered during the period for which he has been released or should have been released pursuant to the provisions of this annexe, plus an additional period of five days.”
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Should Liverpool play Matip in the FA Cup Third Round replay, it is possible they will face sanctions.
“Fifa also indicated that any potential violation of the applicable provisions would need to be investigated by the Fifa Disciplinary Committee,” read the statement.
The decision is now for Liverpool and manager Jurgen Klopp. As things stand, they are opting not to play Matip despite being in the dark as to whether he is available.
That could continue until the end of the Africa Cup of Nations, plus an additional five days once Cameroon are out of the competition. However, Liverpool do not want to wait so long.
The alternative is they can invite a challenge by selecting Matip and producing evidence that demonstrates his retirement from international football was – until the last few weeks – accepted by Cameroon.
Selecting Matip will force the governing body to adjudicate on whether the defender is eligible to play for his club while his former international country, Cameroon, participate in the African Nations Cup.
Liverpool have been left infuriated by Fifa’s refusal to offer guidance on the matter. Fifa have responded by quoting their rules regarding players’ availability, in which it makes it clear if a player is selected by his association he is obliged to accept his selection and he can not play for his club.
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As far as Liverpool are concerned, Matip has not been available for Cameroon since September, 2015 when he made it known he no longer wished to be under consideration. That assertion was repeated earlier this season.
Matip has not played for Cameroon since September 2015 CREDIT: REUTERS
Matip was not named in the Cameroon squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, but Liverpool received no clarification as to whether that means he can play for his club.
Fifa’s current stance has done nothing to resolve the impasse.
“We can confirm that Liverpool FC contacted Fifa about the matter,” a Fifa spokesman responded.
“Our services answered by directing the club to the applicable provisions.”
The statement continued: “A player who has been called up by his association for one of its representative teams is, unless otherwise agreed by the relevant association, not entitled to play for the club with which he is registered during the period for which he has been released or should have been released pursuant to the provisions of this annexe, plus an additional period of five days.”
Watch | Manchester United vs Liverpool - key match stats
01:02
Should Liverpool play Matip in the FA Cup Third Round replay, it is possible they will face sanctions.
“Fifa also indicated that any potential violation of the applicable provisions would need to be investigated by the Fifa Disciplinary Committee,” read the statement.
The decision is now for Liverpool and manager Jurgen Klopp. As things stand, they are opting not to play Matip despite being in the dark as to whether he is available.
That could continue until the end of the Africa Cup of Nations, plus an additional five days once Cameroon are out of the competition. However, Liverpool do not want to wait so long.
The alternative is they can invite a challenge by selecting Matip and producing evidence that demonstrates his retirement from international football was – until the last few weeks – accepted by Cameroon.
