Back to the Soccer Newsfeed

FIFA to host Israeli and Palestinian soccer leaders (The Associated Press)

ZURICH (AP) -- FIFA says it will host the leaders of the Israeli and Palestinian soccer federations within days, seeking an agreement before the governing body's congress this month.

The Palestinian Football Association wants Israel suspended from world soccer because its security forces restrict movement of players in the West Bank and Gaza.

The PFA defied FIFA President Sepp Blatter's wishes by pushing for a vote of 209 member countries on May 29 in Zurich.

FIFA says Blatter met Israeli soccer leaders on Wednesday and told them ''any member association that is fulfilling its statutory duties should not be suspended.