Palestine v Saudi Arabia goes ahead in Al-Ram after FIFA accepts security guarantees
Wednesday 21 October 2015 16:46, UK
Palestine will host Saudi Arabia in a World Cup qualifier in Al-Ram next month after FIFA approved security guarantees from the Palestinian authorities.
The two nations were due to play each other in Ramallah on October 13 but the match was postponed after Saudi Arabia expressed concerns over travelling through Israeli security on the West Bank's border.
Saudi Arabia is one of several countries that does not recognise Israel as a state, and they suggested the match be played in neighbouring Jordan instead, which the Palestinian FA (PFA) flatly rejected.
The now-suspended FIFA president Sepp Blatter held talks with PFA chief Jibril Rajoub and his Saudi counterpart Ahmed Eid Al Harbi earlier in October and the governing body has now given the fixture the go-ahead for November 5.
A FIFA statement on Wednesday read: "The PFA has given full security guarantees for the rescheduled match.
"FIFA has agreed to appoint a security officer who will work hand in hand with the Palestine authorities to supervise the security plan and make sure that the match is played in very good conditions."
Palestine have been drawn with two further teams in Group A that do not recognise Israel; the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia.
The UAE travelled to the West Bank in August and played out a 0-0 draw in front of 15,000 supporters, while Malaysia will play in Palestine in November.
Saudi Arabia top group A with four wins from four, while Palestine sit third having won 6-0 in Malaysia in June - their only victory so far.
