FIFA president Joseph Blatter met Sunday with top football officials from Israel and Palestine in an effort to stop a Palestine proposal to suspend Israel at the upcoming congress of the ruling body.
In a statement, FIFA did not speak of an agreement but said that "both member associations agreed to pursue the dialogue." It said that Blatter will travel to both countries before the May 29 congress to meet the football and state leadership from each side.
Sunday's meeting included among others Blatter, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke and the presidents of the Israel and Palestine football federations, Ofer Eini and Jibril Rajoub.
The congress agenda published Monday includes the Palestine proposal to suspend Israel from football activities - made over ongoing restrictions by Israel on the movement of their players, visiting teams and football equipment.
It is however unlikely that Palestine will get the required three-quarter majority from the 209 FIFA member federations.
The ongoing dispute was also on the agenda of last year's FIFA congress, and could overshadow the May 29 meeting where Blatter seeks a fifth term as president against three rival candidates.
