Hajrovic cleared to play for Bosnia-Herzegovina

FIFA says Switzerland midfielder Izet Hajrovic has been cleared to switch international allegiance to his family's native Bosnia-Herzegovina. (AP/Keystone/Walter Bieri)

ZURICH, Switzerland — FIFA says Switzerland midfielder Izet Hajrovic has been cleared to switch international allegiance to his family’s native Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The 22-year-old Hajrovic joins his 20-year-old brother Sead, a former Arsenal defender, in changing after years of youth international appearances for Switzerland, where they were born.

Both opted for Bosnia as it seeks to qualify for its first World Cup tournament.

The former Yugoslav republic leads its qualifying group by three points from Greece with four matches left.

FIFA rules allow Izet Hajrovic to move because he never played a competitive senior match for Switzerland. He appeared as a late substitute in 2-1 friendly win in Tunisia last November.

The Hajrovic brothers were reunited at Grasshoppers this season, when Sead returned to the Zurich club after a four-year spell in England.

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