[Archive 2015-05-22] FIFA president 'on a mission of peace'

Historical archive — originally published 2015-05-22. This report records what was known on that date. It is not current news; subsequent events may have changed the situation. Wikinews closed in May 2026.

FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) president Sepp Blatter is touring the Middle East, making efforts to stop the Palestinian motion for the suspension of Israel from FIFA. As part of his visit, Blatter met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, and on Wednesday was due to meet the president of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, and the chairman of the Palestinian Football Association, Jibril Rajoub.

After his meeting with the Israeli prime minister, Mr. Blatter held a press conference, in which he said Prime Minister Netanyahu was agreeable to a "peace match", perhaps organized by FIFA, between the Israeli and Palestinian national teams. Blatter also said he hasn't the authority to prevent the Palestinian motion from moving forward and "it is a very unusual and very serious matter". Blatter called his efforts "a mission of peace".

Should the motion go through, Israel would be suspended of all FIFA projects and activities, including the Champions League and the European Championship in 2016. For the motion to go through on May 29 it must win the support of 75% of the 209 voters.

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