FIFA stands behind altitude ban

A spokesman for the world’s governing body on soccer affirmed a ban against international games played 8200 feet above sea level. The remarks came in response to an alleged fax sent by the FIFA medical board saying that the ban would be modified to help some Andean states.

Meanwhile, the medical panel representing South America’s soccer board has debated over the health concerns of playing at high altitudes. The split has erupted between countries representing high altitude and low altitude countries, and may lend credence to the claim that soccer giants Brazil and Argentina were behind the ban.

Nonetheless, the president of South America’s soccer board expressed his displeasure at the ban after meeting with Bolivian president Evo Morales this afternoon.

Source (Spanish)- El Tiempo

Sources (English)- Reuters India, International Herald Tribune, Foreign Policy Passport

Image- BBC News (According to the caption “Bolivian protesters take their argument to Conmebol”)