FIFA delegation visits Gaza to boost local soccer
Officials from governing body delayed at Israeli border crossing; Jerusalem blames lack of coordination
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GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — A delegation from world soccer’s governing body visited the Gaza Strip to give a boost to local football.
The FIFA delegation arrived in Gaza on Monday after a five-hour delay at an Israeli border crossing. Delegation leader David Borja says the visit — the first by FIFA in 12 years — will be the start of “very good cooperation.”
Abdulsalam Haniya, a member of the Palestine Olympic Committee, said the delegation is visiting two soccer stadiums that were damaged by Israeli airstrikes. Palestinian militants launched rockets from one of the stadiums in 2012.
The delegation is also donating money to build 20 soccer fields with artificial turf.
Israel said the delegation was delayed because one of its members had not coordinated the visit ahead of time.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press
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