FIFA’s Sepp Blatter hopes to settle Israel-Palestinian soccer dispute

How about that Sepp Blatter?

The president of FIFA, world soccer’s governing body, can’t even get Brazil to finish remodeling its stadiums on time and now he’s going to try his hand at negotiating a peace treaty between Israel and the Palestinians.

Well, a part of Israel and some Palestinians anyway.

Blatter said Tuesday he hopes to resolve a dispute between the Palestinian soccer association and Israel over travel restrictions on some Palestinian players. Israel cites concerns about possible attacks by Palestinian militants as the main reason for the restrictions.

FIFA hopes to get both sides to sign a memorandum of understanding next month in Brazil. Representatives of the Israeli and Palestinian soccer associations are expected to take part in FIFA meetings scheduled in Sao Paulo on June 10-11, just before the opening match of the World Cup on June 12.