Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp has announced that FIFA will make a choice over the acceptability of Joel Matip on Friday.
The African defender is now at the centre of a club vs. country row having rejected to operate for Cameroon during the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations despite being involved in the preliminary squad.
FIFA laws say that he is unable to play for The Reds without his country’s approval until the end of Cameroon’s performance in the tournament, however, Liverpool have argued that Matip considers himself retired from international duty having not played for his country since September 2015.
The Stories had speculated that Liverpool were considering risking judgment by including Matip during Wednesday’s FA Cup clash with Plymouth Argyle, however, they now appear set to wait for FIFA’s ruling at the end of the week.
“I would consider him in the line-up for tomorrow, but I don’t know if I can. Joel is not happy about the situation. I told him before the United game ‘sorry, I can’t pick you’, We are sure we did nothing wrong. We are sure Joel Matip did nothing wrong. Since he has been here he has not been a Cameroon player. FIFA have told us they will decide on Friday if they open a case or not.” – Klopp told journalists.
If world football’s governing body ruled in favour of African then Matip could need as many as six more Liverpool games.
