No international soccer matches will be allowed to play above an
altitude of 2,500 meters in future, FIFA president Sepp Blatter
said in Zurich, Switzerland on Sunday.
Speaking at a news conference following the last executive
committee meeting before the start of FIFA's 57th Congress this
week and the inauguration of FIFA's new headquarters in Zurich,
Blatter explained that FIFA made the decision following advice from
its medical committee.
"I know there will be complaints about this, especially from
South America, but we have to think of the health of the players
first. It also leads to a distortion of the competition if matches
are played at such a level.
"The Executive Committee have listened to a proposal from the
medical committee and have decided to act because to play at above
that altitude is not healthy or fair."
Bolivia, among many a countries, traditionally play their home
matches in La Paz, which, at more than 3,600 meters above sea
level, is the highest capital city in the world.
(Xinhua News Agency May 28, 2007)