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Hetemaj, a key figure in the Finnish team since 2009, opted
out of the team's World Cup qualifier against Kosovo earlier
this month, sparking speculation he could change to play for the
country which had just been accepted as a member of football's
governing body FIFA.
But Finland head coach Hans Backe on Saturday added Hetemaj's
name to the squad for World Cup qualifiers against Iceland and
Croatia, confirming the player's choice.
"This decision is permanent," an SPL spokesman told Reuters on
Sunday.
Hetemaj plays for Italy's Serie A side Chievo Verona.
Kosovo's first-ever competitive international against Finland
ended 1-1 as Valon Berisha, a former Norway player who was one
of six given permission to play for Kosovo only a few hours
before kickoff, cancelled the hosts lead from a penalty spot.
Fifa has said it will deal with players seeking to switch to
play for Kosovo on a case by case basis. Earlier this month
Arsenal's Granit Xhaka published an open letter explaining why
he would continue to play for Switzerland.
(Reporting by Jussi Rosendahl, editing by Neil Robinson)
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