Joël Matip

[Lecter]

Cameroon have long stated "Put it in writing and yer won't be selected"

No they havent

As they have called up a number of players who have formally retired (in writing)

It appears that they are taking the rule to the extreme and are punishing anybody who doesnt answer their call (retired or not)

They are in dispute with 7 players

[Buzzo]

I don't know what to say other than if you are retiring from International football un-amicably and you want it to be concrete and to hold withstanding power for any future complications that may arise, you really should do it in writing.
Bit of a doo-doo there from Matip and his advisors.

Yeah, definitely.

I'd have thought that was pretty obvious too. I mean, ok, he didn't expect that he would end up in limbo like this, but they should have been more professional.

Hindsight eh.

[Lecter]

Yeah, definitely.

I'd have thought that was pretty obvious too. I mean, ok, he didn't expect that he would end up in limbo like this, but they should have been more professional.

Hindsight eh.

I think theres more at play here than just "we did or didnt get his retirement in writing"

Last year the Cameroon manager acknowledged that Matip had retired but said the problem was with the previous regime and they would still call him up and expect him to be there

Broos said: “These players have put personal interest above those of the national team and the federation reserves the right to take action against the players in accordance with FIFA regulations.”

The regulations allow FIFA to suspend players who refuse call-ups without a good reason.

FIFA rules state: “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… during the period for which he has been released or should have been released.”

The bit in bold reads to me like the relevant FA can chose whether to ignore retirement (whether in writing or not)

[Lecter]

I wonder how many players are in dispute with other AFCON FA's

Cameroon FA have disputes with 7 players which probably says a lot about them and their stance

[Buzzo]

I think theres more at play here than just "we did or didnt get his retirement in writing"

Last year the Cameroon manager acknowledged that Matip had retired but said the problem was with the previous regime and they would still call him up and expect him to be there

Broos said: “These players have put personal interest above those of the national team and the federation reserves the right to take action against the players in accordance with FIFA regulations.”

The regulations allow FIFA to suspend players who refuse call-ups without a good reason.

FIFA rules state: “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… during the period for which he has been released or should have been released.”

The bit in bold reads to me like the relevant FA can chose whether to ignore retirement (whether in writing or not)

He has clearly been stitched up by the Cameroonian (!) FA, but he could have negated that by keeping it all in writing.

Its a five minute email, and he'd potentially be playing for us. Live and learn I suppose.

[Maxiedge]

I wonder how many players are in dispute with other AFCON FA's

Cameroon FA have disputes with 7 players which probably says a lot about them and their stance

Are the players in dispute all advised not to play with their relevant clubs by FIFA?

I bet Klopp was close to picking him for tonight and maybe, if there was a letter, that would have turned the tide.

Reading what you posted there, in hindsight, Matip and The Cameroon FA should have resolved this situation long before the AFCONs.

[Lecter]

He has clearly been stitched up by the Cameroonian (!) FA, but he could have negated that by keeping it all in writing.

Its a five minute email, and he'd potentially be playing for us. Live and learn I suppose.

I dont think its that simple

Read the FIFA rule, it essentially says a player CANNOT refuse a call up by the relevant body, if they do they can face sanctions. It doesnt add in any caveats about retirement etc.. The only caveat it adds is that the sanctions are at the FA's discretion

[Lecter]

Are the players in dispute all advised not to play with their relevant clubs by FIFA?

I bet Klopp was close to picking him for tonight and maybe, if there was a letter, that would have turned the tide.

Reading what you posted there, in hindsight, Matip and The Cameroon FA should have resolved this situation long before the AFCONs.

I think it comes down to respecting an individuals decision

For example plenty of players have retired from the England national side. Some have been asked to come out of retirement (Carragher in 2010 and then again a few years later)

Carragher came back in 2010 but refused to come out of retirement later

The English FA respected that players wishes and didnt impose sanctions

The Cameroon FA seem to have dismissed Matips retirement (it was a problem with a previous regime) and have said they will pick him even if he is retired

Again as I have mentioned above this creates 2 issues

1) Forcing players against their will to play is tantamount to slavery
2) Why would you want to pick a player who doesnt want to play for you, you aint getting the best out of that player thats for sure

Cameroon have taken punitive measures against 7 players now and frankly the dischord between them and those players will only escalate

[Buzzo]

I dont think its that simple

Read the FIFA rule, it essentially says a player CANNOT refuse a call up by the relevant body, if they do they can face sanctions. It doesnt add in any caveats about retirement etc.. The only caveat it adds is that the sanctions are at the FA's discretion

There must be other clauses stipulating what happens in the event of retirement? If not it is a massive oversight, and makes me wonder why Scotland don't continue to enforce the call up on King Kenny.

[ronanm]

Tell AFCON to get lost and if they don't like it they can kick Mane out of the tournament

[Buzzo]

I think it comes down to respecting an individuals decision

For example plenty of players have retired from the England national side. Some have been asked to come out of retirement (Carragher in 2010 and then again a few years later)

Carragher came back in 2010 but refused to come out of retirement later

The English FA respected that players wishes and didnt impose sanctions

The Cameroon FA seem to have dismissed Matips retirement (it was a problem with a previous regime) and have said they will pick him even if he is retired

Again as I have mentioned above this creates 2 issues

1) Forcing players against their will to play is tantamount to slavery
2) Why would you want to pick a player who doesnt want to play for you, you aint getting the best out of that player thats for sure

Cameroon have taken punitive measures against 7 players now and frankly the dischord between them and those players will only escalate

Agree with all of that.

[fah-q]

There's a certain discomfort about the use of the word slavery by a European country in regards to an African one.

[Lecter]

There must be other clauses stipulating what happens in the event of retirement? If not it is a massive oversight, and makes me wonder why Scotland don't continue to enforce the call up on King Kenny.

Its a ludicrous rule but this is FIFA we are talking about and there appears to be no-clauses about retirement

Article 3 Calling up players
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.
2. Associations wishing to call up a player who is playing abroad must
notify the player in writing at least 15 days before the day of the
match for which he is required. Associations wishing to call up a player
for the final competition of an international tournament must notify
the player in writing at least 15 days before the beginning of the
14-day preparation period (cf. Annexe 1 article 1 paragraph 4 e)).
The player’s club shall also be informed in writing at the same time.
The club must confirm the release of the player within the following
six days.
3. Associations that request FIFA’s help to obtain the release of a player
playing abroad may only do so under the following two conditions:
a) The association at which the player is registered has been asked to
intervene without success.
b) The case is submitted to FIFA at least fi ve days before the day of
the match for which the player is needed.

I think the "As a General Rule" is the key thing and you would expect the relevant FA's to have common sense and to respect their players wishes

Clearly not

[Lecter]

There's a certain discomfort about the use of the word slavery by a European country in regards to an African one.

I must admit I have felt uncomfortable using that word but struggling to find another

[Maxiedge]

Obviously the AFCON is a complete and utter nuisance for the Premier League but we have to also respect that it's not really fair on the Cameroon FA and the fans of the international team to enter the tournament without 7 players that would normally be picked. Is there nothing to be said for players representing their countries anymore or am I being too patriotic?

If the issue was with the previous regime, why not play under the new regime? If the issue is with the Cameroonian FA then it should have been resolved before the tournament.

Obviously, there are other things to take into consideration here like the possibility of lack of communication and approachability from their FA for Matip to resolve the situation.