Liverpool have effectively been told by FIFA to make up their own minds over whether Cameroon defender Joel Matip can play for them after declining to represent his country in the African Nations Cup. Liverpool withdrew Matip from their squad for Sunday's Premier League match at Manchester United, saying they wanted to seek clarity from soccer's governing body over his eligibility. FIFA confirmed on Monday that it had replied to Liverpool by "directing the club to the applicable provisions" of the regulations on the status and transfer of players, in particular article five. That states that a player called up by his country for an international tournament is not entitled to play for his club during that period. Liverpool said Matip was not included in Cameroon's final squad for the Nations Cup and had previously said he did not want to be considered for selection. The English club added that Cameroon's FA had failed to confirm that Matip could play club football while the tournamen...
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