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FIFA lets Palestinians host Saudis in World Cup qualifier

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ZURICH (AP) FIFA says the Palestinian national team will host a postponed World Cup qualifying match against Saudi Arabia on home territory on Nov. 5.

The agreement by FIFA's new panel overseeing World Cup qualifier is a belated diplomatic victory for suspended President Sepp Blatter.

Before being barred from office this month, Blatter hosted talks in Zurich after the Saudi football federation initially refused to play in Ramallah on Oct. 13.

Palestinian officials accused Saudi Arabia of being wary of appearing too close to Israel by going through its security.

FIFA originally said the match could be played in Jordan on its scheduled date.

FIFA says Wednesday that the Palestinians gave ''full security guarantees'' for hosting the match.

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