FIFA’s Congress in Zurich went from bad to worse on Friday as Swiss officials confirmed they had received a bomb threat.

Anti-Israeli protesters also forced their way in to a meeting where president Sepp Blatter was speaking.

The two incidents happened just hours before the 209 member nations of FIFA were set to vote in the presidential elections.

At just past midday Zurich Police said; “We can confirm the receipt of a bomb threat.”

An extended lunch break allowed the authorities time to search the premises for any suspicious packages, Jerome Valcke, FIFA’s General Secretary confirmed; “A bomb threat was received, and as a precaution the Swiss authorities searched the premises.

“It was cleared and the congress can continue.”

Also on Friday, two Pro-Palestinian protesters managed to force their way into the congress and briefly held up proceedings.

The women, both waving red cards, were part of a large protest campaigning for the expulsion of Israel from FIFA.

Both women chanted “Israel out” before being escorted of the premises by security.

Palestine want FIFA to expel Israel over its restrictions on movement of Palestinian players, as well as being against the participation in the Israeli league of five clubs located in the West Bank.

FIFA delegates will debate whether or not to ban Israel before voting on the matter.

For Israel to be excluded from FIFA, the motion must receive the support of over three-quarters of the 209 FIFA federations.

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