Liverpool central defender Joel Matip could face a FIFA sanction in a row over his involvement in the African Cup of Nations.
According to the reds, Matip was effectively retired from international duty, having not played for Cameroon for over a year. It was while at his previous club Schalke that the player began his disagreement with his international side - and in September he reiterated that he did not want to be selected for international duty.
The Cameroon coach Hugo Broos however has not received the message loudly enough and named Matip in his tournament squad.
Matip is currently out injured and has had medical intervention on his ankle that affected his involvement in Liverpool's pre-season.
Since then he has 3 separated injury spells. He has missed the last 3 weeks for the reds and is set to face a further spell on the sidelines.
Under FIFA rules, and if Cameroon choose to sanction him, he could be rendered unavailable for Liverpool duty throughout the month whilst the tournament is ongoing.
The Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said:
'The players make these decisions by themselves, there is nothing the club can do'
Estonian captain Ragnar Klavan has been deputising for Matip in recent weeks and despite conceding the first penalty against Sunderland earlier this week has been performing well.
