FIFA clears Medunjanin to play for Bosnia

BELGRADE, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Midfielder Haris Medunjanin has been cleared by FIFA to play for Bosnia in their World Cup two-legged playoff against Portugal, the Bosnian Football Association (NFSBIH) said on Saturday.

Medunjanin was born in Bosnia but fled the country during its 1992-95 conflict with some of his family and moved to Netherlands with whom he won the European under-21 championship in 2006 and 2007 after adopting Dutch nationality.

“FIFA has cleared Medunjanin to play for Bosnia-Herzegovina in time for the two-game tie with Portugal,” NFSBIH spokeswoman Slavica Pecikoza told Reuters by telephone.

Bosnia were playing Portugal in Lisbon later on Saturday, with the return leg set for Zenica on Wednesday.

The winners will reach next year’s finals in South Africa and if Bosnia were to spring an upset it would be their first appearance at a major tournament as an independent nation.