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Joel Matip could end up missing a further SIX Liverpool matches as his dispute with the Cameroon Football Federation rumbles on.

The former Schalke centre-back was withdrawn from Jurgen Klopp’s squad to face Manchester United on Sunday after the Reds were frustrated in their attempts to secure clearance from FIFA.

Cameroon are adamant Matip shouldn’t be allowed to play for Liverpool for the duration of the Africa Cup of Nations as he turned down the chance to play in the tournament in Gabon after being named in their provisional 35-man squad.

However, the 25-year-old defender, who hasn’t played for Cameroon since September 2015, considers himself retired from international football and had always made it clear that he wasn’t available for selection.

Liverpool have been infuriated by FIFA’s failure to provide any clarity on the issue. The world governing body have merely stated that if the Reds were to play Matip without Cameroon’s permission then it could lead to disciplinary action being taken.

A FIFA spokesman said: “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.”

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FIFA also stated that “any potential violation of the applicable provisions would need to be investigated by the FIFA disciplinary committee”.

Asked if they would step in to resolve the row and when a decision was likely, the spokesman told the ECHO that “no further comment on the issue could be provided”.

If Cameroon were to reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations on February 5 then Matip wouldn’t be available to play for Liverpool until February 10.

That would leave him sidelined for the FA Cup replay at Plymouth, the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final with Southampton, a potential FA Cup fourth round clash with Wolves, as well as crunch Premier League games with Swansea, title rivals Chelsea and Hull.

Liverpool believe that FIFA’s response misses the point because there has clearly been no breach of regulations.

Both Matip and Liverpool have given up on trying to reach an agreement on the issue with the Cameroon Football Federation so it appears that unless FIFA step in to settle the dispute then Matip’s wait to make his comeback following an ankle injury will continue.