Joel Matip has been warned that he could face 'action' from the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot) after declining an international call-up for the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

The Liverpool defender, who has not played for his national team since 2014, is one of seven players to have withdrawn from Cameroon’s provisional squad for the tournament in Gabon.

In a strongly-worded statement, Fecafoot cited “a bad experience with previous staff” as the reason for Matip’s decision and warned that he and six others may face punishment.

“Seven have called the coach by telephone to notify him of their unavailability,” the statement read.

“Joel Matip does not want to play with the Lions at the moment due to a bad experience with the previous technical staff.

“These players want to privilege their personal interest to the detriment of the national team, which some of them have already used for their development.

Everton vs Liverpool player ratings Show all 23 1 /23 Everton vs Liverpool player ratings Everton vs Liverpool player ratings everton-vs-liverpool.jpg Who stood out in the Merseyside derby? Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 1-pickford.jpg Produced a couple of great saves in the first half to deny Dominic Solanke and James Milner. Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 2-coleman.jpg Instigated the game’s first real flash-point as he squared up to Danny Ings after a foul by the Liverpool man. Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 3-jagielka.jpg Produced a couple of full-blooded challenges in the second half that really got the crowd going. Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 4-keane.jpg A solid display in front of the watching Gareth Southgate. Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 5-baines.jpg As dependable as ever on the left side of Everton’s back four and nearly claimed an assist with a dangerous cross late on. Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 6-rooney.jpg Exerted little influence and was lucky to escape a booking for a cynical lunge on Dominic Solanke. Hooked shortly after the break, much to his visible anger. Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 7-schneiderlin.jpg Looked tired in midfield. Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 8-davies.jpg Carved open Liverpool’s defence with a through ball to Baines, whose subsequent cross into the box almost provided the opener 15 minutes from time. Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 9-walcott.jpg Anonymous in the first 75 minutes but was perhaps Everton’s biggest threat in the closing stages. Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 10-tosun.jpg Missed a gilt-edged chance late on as he put his header wide from point-blank range after good work by Theo Walcott. Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 11-bolasie.jpg Almost opened the scoring with a stunning long-distance strike but Loris Karius thwarted him with a superb fingertip stop. Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 12-karius.jpg Came up with one of the saves of the season to deny Bolasie a stunning first-half opener. Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 13-clyne.jpg Another solid outing as he continues his comeback from a serious back injury. Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 14-lovren.jpg Could’ve cost Liverpool the game late on as he got caught the wrong side of Cenk Tosun, which allowed the Everton man a run at goal. Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 15-van-dijk.jpg A commanding presence at the back as always. Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 16-klavan.jpg Almost sliced the ball into his own net from a teasing Everton cross in the first half. Not a left-back. Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 17-wijnaldum.jpg Classy in the centre of the park and could’ve played his way into contention for a starting berth at the Etihad on Tuesday. Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 18-henderson.jpg Will be gutted to be missing next week’s game against City through suspension but he didn’t let his disappointment show today. Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 19-milner.jpg Backed up his European display against City with another solid outing and would have scored were it not for Pickford’s heroic first-half display. Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 20-ings.jpg A decent outing for the injury-plagued attacker but he never threatened Jordan Pickford’s goal. Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 21-solanke.jpg Put an early header wide and should’ve scored a few minutes later when he was denied from close range by Pickford. Getty Everton vs Liverpool player ratings 22-mane.jpg Looked to be playing within himself. Perhaps had one eye on Tuesday night. Getty

“The Cameroon Football Federation reserves the right to take action against these players in accordance with Fifa regulations.

“However, the coach wants to reassure the public that he will put in place the best team possible with players who are motivated and determined to defend the colours of Cameroon.”

Fifa's Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players document states that players are, “as a general rule... obliged to respond affirmatively when called up by the association he is eligible to represent”.



​Matip has established himself as an important part of Jurgen Klopp’s side since arriving from Schalke 04 on a free transfer in the summer.

The 25-year-old centre-back has made 14 appearances so far this season, though his playing time has been curtailed in recent weeks by an ankle injury.

Sadio Mane, Liverpool’s other African international, is expected to represent Senegal at the Cup of Nations, which takes place between mid-January and early February.