Joel Matip AFCON fiasco to get worse for Reds
Liverpool star Joel Matip is set to miss SIX matches for the club as his saga concerning his Cameroon call up set to drag on.
Matip has been called up for his country to play in the African Cup of Nations- despite retiring from international football.
He’s been left in no man’s land, with Liverpool unwilling to risk playing him in case of punishment.
The club want clarification from FIFA before fielding him in any matches.
However, FIFA are taking their time over the issue, a spokesmen for the footballing governing body has failed to clear up the matter.
He told the Liverpool Echo: “We can confirm that Liverpool FC contacted FIFA about the matter and our services answered by directing the club to the applicable provisions.
“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.”
Fifa added: “Any potential violation of the applicable provisions would need to be investigated by the FIFA disciplinary committee.”
With the situation unclear, Matip could be forced to sit out of Liverpool’s game for the entirety of Cameroon’s of AFCON, who are expected to go deep into the tournament.
By Ben Kelly – @benkelly_10
