A Palestinian footballer was detained by Israeli authorities at Allenby Bridge crossing between the West Bank and Jordan, just 24 hours after Israel made proposals to ease movement restrictions on Palestinian players.

Head of the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) Jibril Rajoub has complained to Fifa and written a letter to Sepp Blatter, saying the incident proves that Israel should be suspended from Fifa.

In his letter, he said: “The implications of this incident can only confirm the PFA’s position on the promises given by the Israeli government — that they are only words unless they are included in a solution that can only come through, and be guaranteed by, the Fifa Congress.”

The player, Sameh Maraabah, was held for “security reasons” for a number of hours. The team bus waited and Maraabah was eventually allowed to continue with his teammates to Tunisia, where Palestine are set to attend a training camp.

Maraabah was jailed for two months a year ago, for allegedly receiving funds and messages from Hamas representatives in Qatar to pass on to Hamas members in the West Bank city of Qalqilya.

Israel’s FA (IFA) fought back, saying that the PFA were “deliberately creating a needless provocation” and they themselves will file a complaint with Fifa.

“The PFA broke an agreement with Fifa and the IFA which requires prior notification and a list of names of the Palestinian athletes prior to their travel,” the IFA said.

Blatter spent Tuesday in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, where he was told there were plans in place to give Palestinian players special identity cards as well as special liaison officials at crossings between Palestinian areas and those under Israeli control.

The Fifa president then travelled to Palestine to hold talks with President Mahmoud Abbas, where he was told that the vote to suspend Israel from Fifa will go ahead on May 29, at Fifa’s next congress.