FIFA gives Joel Matip all-clear to resume playing for Liverpool

Joel Matip in action for Liverpool on September 20, 2016
© SilverHub
The FIFA confirms that Joel Matip is eligible to play against Swansea City on Saturday.

Liverpool have announced that Joel Matip has been given the green light by FIFA to continue playing following the recent uncertainty over his eligibility.

The 25-year-old has had to watch on from the stands since returning from injury, as the defender was embroiled in a club-against-country dispute that required clarification from world football's governing body.

As of Friday afternoon, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp had still not heard from FIFA whether Matip had been granted the all-clear to play a part against Swansea City this weekend, but confirmation has now been given and he is now in line to feature.

The confusion stemmed from Matip's supposed retirement from international football with Cameroon, which was the subject of a complaint after he turned down the advances of a call-up to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Matip was withdrawn from Liverpool's squad to face Manchester United at the last minute and he also missed out on the FA Cup win over Plymouth Argyle in midweek, with Liverpool fearful that he could have missed a further month of action had the situation not been resolved.

Joel Matip in action for Liverpool on September 20, 2016
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1Chelsea22181347153255
2Arsenal22145350232747
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs22137245162946
4Liverpool22136351272445
5Manchester CityMan City22134543281543
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd22118333211241
7Everton22106633231036
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom229583028232
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10West Ham UnitedWest Ham2284102936-728
11Southampton227692226-427
12Bournemouth2275103239-726
13Burnley2282122433-926
14Watford2266102538-1324
15Leicester CityLeicester2256112437-1321
16Middlesbrough2248101825-720
17Swansea CitySwansea2253142651-2518
18Crystal Palace2244143041-1116
19Hull City2244142047-2716
20Sunderland2243152042-2215