Matip could face club ban

I don't think they can ban him tbh!

It's not like he's played in the recent qualifying games and in fact hasn't played for the nation since the World Cup in 2014.

Allan Nyom of West Brom has played in the qualifiers but has rejected the call up because he wants to protect his place in the team.

"It's not like he's played in the recent qualifying games and in fact hasn't played for the nation since the World Cup in 2014"

If that's the case then why not retire from international football. That way he won't be obliged to play for the national team and there will be fook all FIFA can do about it.

Don't know where FIFA get off telling clubs they have to release players in the middle of a season for international duty. It's the club that pays the players wages.

It is a bit of a joke that you have to do something you don't believe in. They don't pay his wages and he shouldn't have to play for them if he does not want to.

Nobody has a contrqct to play for a country so nobody can force anyone to play internationals or punish someone for not doing so.

It is also completely counter productuve to try to do so.

Footballs version of national service.

Can't see anything coming of this tbh.

If they did do anything to him then I am sure that will just make him not want to play even more!!

If they threaten him with punishment he just retires...simples.

Assuming Matip wrote to the C.F.A. informing them of his decision not to play for them before this call up he can't be punished.

This article from August would suggest that the Cameroon manager knew Matip wouldn't be playing and as such I don't think there is anything that can be done.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-defender-matips-self-imposed-11820074

Surely if a player doesn't want to play for his Country then it is his right to do so.

Hmm, according to FIFA rules,
Rule 3.1
"As a general rule, every player registered with a club is obliged to respond affirmatively when called up by the association he is eligible to represent on the basis of his nationality to play for one of its representative teams."

He could also be banned from playing for 5 extra days.
Rule 5
"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. This restriction on playing for the club shall, moreover, be prolonged by five days in the event that the player, for whatsoever reason, did not wish to or was unable to comply with the call-up."

http://metro.co.uk/2016/12/21/cameroon-can-ask-fifa-to-impose-liverpool-playing-ban-for-joel-matip-beyond-afcon-duration-6337059/

However. Since no action has been taken previously then a precedent has been set and Liverpool could argue that case.