FIFA due to step in and rule on Allan Nyom's dispute with Cameroon
Allan Nyom is missing his second Albion game in a row today as the Cameroon FA continue to deny the Baggies international clearance for the full-back.
The club have made 'strenuous efforts all week' to clarify Nyom's eligibility for today's early kick-off against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, but Cameroon continue to drag their heels.
FIFA are now due to step in and discuss his availability at a meeting early next week.
Baggies director of football administration Richard Garlick hopes the dispute will be resolved soon.
He said: "Unfortunately Cameroon have not given us clearance for Allan to play at Spurs but FIFA will meet to discuss his availability early next week, after which we hope for as speedy a resolution as possible.
"It is our position that Allan should be available for club football during the championships."
Nyom was one of seven Cameroon players who told his national team he didn't want to feature in this month's African Cup of Nations.
But when boss Hugo Broos threatened to go to FIFA and ask the governing body to ban him from club football for the duration of the tournament, Nyom decided to meet up with the squad.
He travelled to Paris, but was then omitted from Cameroon's 23-man squad for the tournament and so returned to the West Midlands.
Albion wanted to play him against Derby County in the FA Cup last weekend but didn't receive written confirmation from the Cameroon FA in time and so left him out.
They have been seeking assurances all week from Cameroon that he could play in today's match with Spurs, but none have been forthcoming.
Albion and Nyom are confident they have done everything by the book and because he wasn't named in the 23-man squad, they believe he should be available during the tournament.
But because the Baggies could lose the points they win while Nyom is playing without international clearance, the club have decided not to risk using him.
This week, Albion head coach Tony Pulis labelled the situation 'unbelievable', saying "I don't think I've ever experienced it before in my life."
The Baggies are already without the injured Jonny Evans for today's clash at White Hart Lane, meaning Jonas Olsson and Chris Brunt have slotted into the back four.
