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Palestine complain to FIFA over player they say Israel detained

JERUSALEM -- The head of the Palestine Football Association has complained to FIFA that one of their players was detained by Israel, an incident he says illustrates his demand that the Israelis be suspended.

Jibril Rajoub's letter to FIFA president Sepp Blatter says a player was stalled while trying to leave Israel to attend a training session in Tunisia.

Israeli media quoted security officials as saying the player was briefly detained because he had served as a courier for Hamas in the past.

Blatter shuttled between Israeli and Palestinian officials this week to try to pacify Palestinian demands that FIFA suspend Israel because they say its security restrictions hinder player movements.

Israel has cited security concerns, especially regarding movement in and out of Hamas-ruled Gaza.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter says he is making progress in resolving a spat between the countries' football leaders and hopes to avoid a vote to suspend Israel.

Blatter said progress was made after speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, and he met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday.