Israel could resume hosting international matches if security is guaranteed, FIFA president Sepp Blatter told Israel Football Association chairman Gavri Levy. Blatter, who was in Israel for the IFA’s 75th anniversary celebrations yesterday, also met Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom before holding a joint press conference with his IFA host.“I have never changed my perception of the situation here,” Blatter said. “I am of the opinion that as long as security is guaranteed, and obviously in this country it is guaranteed, then we shall allow the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign to be played here.” Shalom asked Blatter to help lift the ban on hosting matches, and said afterward he was encouraged by the response. “I think that what has changed is that we found not only goodwill, but a very clear sense that they intend, at the end of this month at the meeting of the FIFA executive committee in France, to raise this issue,” Shalom said. Blatter said it was too late to change the Euro 2004 qualifying schedule, which is under UEFA jurisdiction. “The matter of international matches in Israel is currently being addressed by the European Football Confederation - UEFA and not by FIFA,” Blatter said.
