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)