The president of Fifa, Sepp Blatter, has appealed to the Israel Football Association over the case of a Gaza prisoner who went on a hunger strike for nearly three months.
Mahmoud Sarsak, who is believed to have called off his strike yesterday evening, is a footballer recruited by the Palestinian national team. According to the Israeli authorities he has a history of involvement in terrorist activity for Islamic jihad, including planning attacks, recruitment and training, hence the reason for his detention since 2009.
A prisoners' rights group said that the 25-year-old accepted milk last night after 80 days rejecting nourishment. The Israeli authorities have agreed to review his case.
It came as Mr Blatter issued a plea to Avi Luzon, who is at the helm of the IFA, declaring his "grave concern and worry about the alleged illegal detention" of Sarsak and others.
