March 29, 2024, 05:40:20 AM

Author Topic: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude  (Read 6350 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline rocwell

  • Sr. Warrior
  • ****
  • Posts: 258
    • View Profile
FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« on: May 27, 2007, 11:18:23 AM »
from:
http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-fifa&prov=reuters&type=lgns

FIFA ban international matches at high altitude

ZURICH, May 27 (Reuters) - No international soccer matches will be allowed to take place above an altitude of 2,500 metres in future, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Sunday.

A number of countries, among them Bolivia, frequently stage home international games at high altitude but Blatter said FIFA was 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 traditionally play their home matches in La Paz, which, at more than 3,600 metres above sea level, is the highest capital city in the world.

Blatter was 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.

He also said that the associations of Macedonia and Kazakhstan had been given a deadline of June 15 to resolve their internal problems or else face possible sanctions from world soccer's governing body.

He said FIFA would not relax its rules on shirt advertising for international teams and reported that of 23,000 doping tests carried out by FIFA in 2006, 91 had proved positive and of those just seven were for steroids.

"Most of the others were for marijuana or other things players use -- they were not even performance-enhancing," said Blatter, adding that FIFA would be using doping controls at all its major tournaments this year including the Under-17 and Under-20 World Cup matches in South Korea and Canada respectively.

He said he was delighted that 750,000 tickets had already been sold for the Under-20 World Cup in Canada from June 30.

(Writing by Mike Collett in London)

Offline AB.Trini

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5624
  • yuh cyar take meh ancestry from meh
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #1 on: May 27, 2007, 11:21:26 AM »
Well they should ban matches whey it cold too. I have seen scheduled matches in Canada in late September and early October. Man ah see a Cuban team playing Canada in Winnipeg. Man dress in toques, gloves and  you could see them men freezing dey arse.
FIFA it have tuh go both ways!!!!

Offline Carib-Briton

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 2790
  • Working Things Out!
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #2 on: May 27, 2007, 11:22:16 AM »
I wonder how many players were Banned for taking Marijuana.

AB.Trini you wuss lol
« Last Edit: May 27, 2007, 11:43:04 AM by Serial Gum Bumper »

Offline E-man

  • Moderator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 8711
  • Support all Warriors. Red, White and Blacklisted.
    • View Profile
    • T&T Football History
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #3 on: May 27, 2007, 11:31:26 AM »
So Mexico City just gets by at 2239 meters. I wonder how they decided on that number in particular. I feel they should only have international matches on FIFA approved artificial grass, in a FIFA enclosed bubble, with FIFA air pressure and oxygen level, at FIFA temperatures of 68.0483 degrees F.

Offline AB.Trini

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5624
  • yuh cyar take meh ancestry from meh
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #4 on: May 27, 2007, 11:35:42 AM »
So Mexico City just gets by at 2239 meters. I wonder how they decided on that number in particular. I feel they should only have international matches on FIFA approved artificial grass, in a FIFA enclosed bubble, with FIFA air pressure and oxygen level, at FIFA temperatures of 68.0483 degrees F.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


with FIFA  approved money with revenues going only to FIFA approved executives; with players playing only for FIFA approved executives.

Offline dreamer

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 4582
  • These fellas are real Warriors.
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #5 on: May 27, 2007, 11:41:11 AM »
Very very interesting.  :thinking: :thinking: :thinking:
Supportin' de Warriors right tru.

Offline Sam

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 8244
  • Police face and dog heart.
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #6 on: May 27, 2007, 11:44:00 AM »
Now we could finally beat Mexico at home....  :angel:
Faster than a speeding pittbull
Stronger than a shot of ba-bash
Capable of storming any fete


Offline D.H.W

  • Forever Man Utd
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 17937
  • "Luck Favours The Prepared"
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #7 on: May 27, 2007, 01:06:10 PM »
mexico must be quaking lol now  :devil:  :beermug: . no more azteca bitches
"Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid."
Youtube Channel


Offline palos

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 11529
  • Test
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #8 on: May 27, 2007, 01:13:40 PM »
mexico must be quaking lol now  :devil:  :beermug: . no more azteca bitches

Is the Azteca higher than 2500 metres above sea level?
Carlos "The Rolls Royce" Edwards

Offline D.H.W

  • Forever Man Utd
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 17937
  • "Luck Favours The Prepared"
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #9 on: May 27, 2007, 01:50:09 PM »
mexico must be quaking lol now  :devil:  :beermug: . no more azteca bitches

Is the Azteca higher than 2500 metres above sea level?

damn just short 7300 feet or 2225 meters just check , correct if i wrong. oh well  :'( thought tht bloody stadium was higher  :(
"Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid."
Youtube Channel


Offline Filho

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5368
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #10 on: May 27, 2007, 02:03:32 PM »
FIFA is so corrupt  and stupid, it is ridiculous. Always drawing the line where it suits them.

Offline Patterson

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 580
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #11 on: May 27, 2007, 02:09:13 PM »
what other country is affected besides Bolivia?

Offline Filho

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5368
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #12 on: May 27, 2007, 03:34:05 PM »
Peru for sure and maybe Ecuador.

I also know some fellas from the Cruz dat does play at 'high' altitude, but that is a different kinda thing altogether  ;D ;D

Offline D.H.W

  • Forever Man Utd
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 17937
  • "Luck Favours The Prepared"
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #13 on: May 27, 2007, 03:44:10 PM »
Peru for sure and maybe Ecuador.

I also know some fellas from the Cruz dat does play at 'high' altitude, but that is a different kinda thing altogether  ;D ;D
  :devil:  :rotfl:
"Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid."
Youtube Channel


Offline kounty

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 3153
  • Truthfulness is brighter than the light of the sun
    • View Profile
Fifa bans high-altitude football
« Reply #14 on: May 27, 2007, 07:22:17 PM »
Fifa bans high-altitude football
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/6697159.stm


 
A match at nearly 4,000m in Bolivia left some players needing oxygen




Football's governing body, Fifa, has banned international teams from playing matches at more than 2,500m (8,200ft) above sea level.
Fifa said the decision was made because of concerns over players' health and possible distortion of competition.

The ruling was greeted with dismay in Latin America, notably in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, where games in La Paz are played at an altitude of 3,600m.

Peru had hoped to stage upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Cuzco, at 3,400m.

Local commentators in Peru suggested Fifa made the decision after pressure from South America's two major football powers, Brazil and Argentina.

Both nations have struggled in recent years while playing at altitude, where the thin air hands an advantage to those acclimatised to the conditions.

'Discrimination'

Playing sport in conditions of high altitude places heavy demands on the body, forcing the heart to work harder.

  To play at above that altitude is not healthy or fair

Sepp Blatter
Fifa president
Earlier in 2007, Brazilian club Flamengo said they would not play again at altitude after several of their players needed oxygen during a game against Bolivian team Real Potosi, held at nearly 4,000m (13,120ft).

Bolivian football officials described the ban as an "injustice" and "discrimination", the EFE news agency reported.

But Fifa's President Sepp Blatter said the organisation had anticipated protests from Latin America.

"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," he said.
 
 

Offline Trini

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 1631
    • View Profile
Re: Fifa bans high-altitude football
« Reply #15 on: May 27, 2007, 07:53:55 PM »
that is madness.
Where did the 2500m benchmark come from.

I am not an expert, but I can make an educated guess at say that Mexico City, which is one of the most polluted cities on the planet, and at 2240m (260 metres lower than the cutoff) is much more demanding to play than in Bolivia and Peru et al.

It shoulda be lower to incorporate Mexico City in that ban, or just dont do that ban at all.

This will sure have some strong debates...



Offline jai john

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 3394
    • View Profile
Re: Fifa bans high-altitude football
« Reply #16 on: May 27, 2007, 08:01:12 PM »
that is madness.
Where did the 2500m benchmark come from.

I am not an expert, but I can make an educated guess at say that Mexico City, which is one of the most polluted cities on the planet, and at 2240m (260 metres lower than the cutoff) is much more demanding to play than in Bolivia and Peru et al.

It shoulda be lower to incorporate Mexico City in that ban, or just dont do that ban at all.
there is no worse place to play football than la paz. mexico city is a walk in the park compared to La Paz.

This will sure have some strong debates...




Offline andre samuel

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 4921
  • "ah love it!!"
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #17 on: May 28, 2007, 05:59:50 AM »
Steups!

This doesnt make any sense at all.  This was done to negate home advantage and ensure that it is easier for certain teams to qualify from South America.

As soon as i read the headline i was shocked that FIFA would enforce a ban like that which would affect Mexico, but when i read the fact that the altitude level that has been set as a benchmark, i just laughed, cause i knew that Mexico was just below that.

ah love it!!
Andre Samuel, who controls all the rights to the phrase "ah love it!!"

Offline superoli

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 1327
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #18 on: May 28, 2007, 06:17:20 AM »
mad !  so playing in Moscow in January in minus 20 is not dnagerous for your health ?
Or playing in Saudi with temps hitting 50 degrees C ?
Superoli for President of TTFF
I have one promise...........
A professional organization for professional players

Offline Observer

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5428
  • The best gift for a footballer is Intelligence ---
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #19 on: May 28, 2007, 10:40:40 AM »
Well they should ban matches whey it cold too. I have seen scheduled matches in Canada in late September and early October. Man ah see a Cuban team playing Canada in Winnipeg. Man dress in toques, gloves and  you could see them men freezing dey arse.
FIFA it have tuh go both ways!!!!

Actually its medically proven that it is more dangerous to play in heat than cold. You should read World Soccer article on this subject.
To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead
                                              Thomas Paine

Offline Deeks

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 18631
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #20 on: May 28, 2007, 11:29:46 AM »
You could change the time of the day the match is played. The match can be played at night.

Offline dinho

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 8591
  • Yesterday is Yesterday and Today is Today!
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #21 on: May 28, 2007, 06:02:10 PM »
Bolivia: FIFA altitude ban discriminates

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/6859142


LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) - Bolivia President Evo Morales says FIFA's decision to ban all international soccer matches above 8,200 feet discriminates against Latin America's high-altitude nations.

FIFA's ruling on Sunday drew outrage from fans, soccer officials, and governments across Latin America, and Morales said on Monday he will fight the decision.

The Andean Community of Nations - including Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, each with cities above the limit - sent FIFA president Joseph Blatter a letter Monday calling for the ruling to be overturned.

Morales, an avid soccer player, called for people in Bolivia's highlands to play soccer in the streets on Wednesday in a mass demonstration of high-altitude sport.

"This is not only a ruling against Bolivia, but against the universality of sport," Morales said following an emergency Cabinet meeting at the presidential palace in La Paz, 11,800 feet above sea level.

FIFA cited a concern for players' health and home-field advantage of high-altitude teams over their visiting lowland rivals. But Morales discounted such fears, saying the challenges of playing at altitude were simply part of the world's game.

"He who wins at altitude, wins with dignity," Morales said. "He who fears altitude has no dignity."

The ruling eliminates international games in La Paz and other major Bolivian cities and the Colombian capital of Bogota, the Ecuadorean capital Quito and the Peruvian city of Cuzco.

Most of Mexico City falls under the limit at 7,200 feet but Toluca - Mexico's most successful club in recent years - is above the limit.

Toluca press chief Mauricio Garduno said extreme heat and cold also create an advantage for some home teams.

"When you play a match at 104 degrees, that's what affects players the most," Garduno said. "Altitude is not that important. If FIFA is going to consider that, it should consider other things, too."

The FIFA decision follows a Copa Libertadores match in February between Brazilian club Flamengo and Bolivia's Real Potosi, which was played in freezing rain at 13,120 feet.

The Brazilian players, who train at sea level in Rio de Janeiro, took oxygen during the game and eventually drew 2-2. But officials of the influential club vowed never again to play at such high altitude, complaining of "unsporting and inhumane" conditions.

"We didn't have the luck to be born anywhere else. We have to play sports wherever we are," said Ruben Cuenca, 45, a pastry seller on the streets of La Paz. "If not, where would we go to play, the beach? And play soccer with the crabs?"

Associated Press writers Joshua Goodman in Bogota and Peter Orsi in Mexico City contributed to this report.
         

Offline Dutty

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 9578
    • View Profile
FIFA wont allow players to play High
« Reply #22 on: May 30, 2007, 02:27:34 PM »
Yes the subject was misleading  ;)

http://rawstory.com/news/dpa/FIFA_high_altitude_ban_sparks_South_05282007.html

FIFA high altitude ban sparks South American protests

By Veronica Sardon
dpa German Press Agency
    
   


Buenos Aires- FIFA President Joseph Blatter knew that his
decision not to allow international games above 2,500 metres altitude
would have a deep impact on South American football.
"I know that this will not be well taken in South America," he
said Sunday, even as he announced the plan in Zurich.

By Monday, the matter had provoked presidential response across
Latin America, and the football associations of Bolivia, Peru and
most likely Colombia and Ecuador were taking steps to defend the
status quo.

Bolivian President Evo Morales held an emergency meeting of his
Cabinet, and called upon presidents Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of
Brazil and Nestor Kirchner of Argentina to lobby for valuable
support at FIFA.

"This veto (of high-altitude venues) means discrimination and
marginalization in sports. With this decision, they are trying to
disintegrate sports and humanity," said Morales, who likes football a
lot and plays it on a regular basis himself.

High altitude has long been a much-needed, and often effective,
ally for lesser South American football teams against such powerful
rivals as Brazil and Argentina.

The likes of Ronaldinho and Riquelme lose their edge in La Paz or
Cusco, where oxygen is scarce, and their own coaches often chose to
field alternative teams in high altitude, favouring stamina over more
standard football talent.

However, doctors have long argued that it may not be quite healthy
to make players unaccustomed to such extreme conditions run after a
ball with only a couple of days' prior experience. And FIFA's Medical
Commission has now taken this argument on board.

With immediate effect, there will be no more official
international games in the Bolivian cities of Cochabamba (2,570
metres above sea level), Sucre (2,860 metres), La Paz (3,665 metres),
Oruro (3,966 metres) and Potosi (4,040 metres).

In Peru, Cusco (3,416 metres) will see no more top-level football
action, and neither will the Colombian capital Bogota (2,640 metres)
nor its Ecuadorian equivalent Quito (2,850 metres).

The decision will affect among others matches that qualify for the
World Cup, and also the prestigious Copa Libertadores, the top
regional tournament at the club level.

Peruvian officials have complained that FIFA's decision responds
to pressures from South American giants Brazil and Argentina, and
were preparing to challenge its enforcement and - if it comes to the
worst - to think of a second-best scenario.

"If decisions are final and there is no alternative we will play
in Arequipa," said Juvenal Silva, president of the Peruvian National
Teams' Commission, with reference to a city that is 2,300 metres
above sea level.

Silva himself had noted Sunday that medical arguments against
playing at high altitude have no substance, and Colombian national
coach Jorge Luis Pinto agreed.

"Physiologically we can prove to the whole world with 50 years of
football that nothing has ever happened, particularly now that there
are very advanced medical methods," Pinto said. "More people have
died at sea level than in high altitude."

However, Kleber Leite, a top official with Brazilian club
Flamengo, insisted Monday that FIFA's decision is a triumph "not for
football players, but a victory for human beings."

In some countries, moreover, the discussion has an internal angle.
In Peru, for example, most players in the national team play in teams
in the coastal Lima and do not like heading uphill for national games
either.

And Mexico - a regular guest at South American football
competitions and whose clubs also benefit from the 2,235 metres of
Mexico City - got away unscathed.

© 2006 - dpa German Press Agency
Little known fact: The online transportation medium called Uber was pioneered in Trinidad & Tobago in the 1960's. It was originally called pullin bull.

Offline Dutty

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 9578
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #23 on: May 30, 2007, 02:42:52 PM »
 ;D

ah shoulda figure men done post that

any and all news is be here first oui
Little known fact: The online transportation medium called Uber was pioneered in Trinidad & Tobago in the 1960's. It was originally called pullin bull.

Offline Socapro

  • Board Moderator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *
  • Posts: 14531
  • Ras Shorty-I, Father of Soca, Chutney-Soca & Jamoo
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #24 on: May 30, 2007, 03:00:50 PM »
Peru for sure and maybe Ecuador.

I also know some fellas from the Cruz dat does play at 'high' altitude, but that is a different kinda thing altogether  ;D ;D

So Machel's tune "Higher than High" cyah get play at FIFA sauctioned matched either?!!  ;)
« Last Edit: May 30, 2007, 03:04:10 PM by Socapro »
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

Offline Peong

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 7410
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #25 on: June 27, 2007, 09:18:07 AM »
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=441836&cc=5901

FIFA relax altitude ruling but La Paz still hit

ZURICH, June 27 (Reuters) - FIFA have relaxed a ruling they made last month and will allow international matches to be played at an altitude of up to 3,000 metres (9,800 feet) above sea level rather than 2,500 metres (8,200 feet).

'There has been a huge political discussion around this decision, although it was taken solely to protect the players,' FIFA president Sepp Blatter told a news conference following an executive committee meeting on Wednesday.

'We have spoken again to our medical commission who told us there is a margin concerning the medical issues and that with a specific tolerance limit we could go up to under 3,000 metres.'

FIFA's original decision to prevent internationals being played at 2,500 metres and above led to widespread protests in several South American countries including Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia.

The South American football confederation, which has three members on the FIFA executive, disagreed with the ban following its own meeting earlier this month.

VIGOROUS CAMPAIGN

The new ruling will still prevent matches from taking place in La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, which is 3,600 metres (11,800 feet) above sea level and where oxygen levels are considerably lower than at sea level.

However it does mean that Quito (2,800 metres) and Bogota (2,600 metres), the capitals of Ecuador and Colombia can stage matches.

Bolivian president Evo Morales, who has led a vigorous campaign against the ban, is due to meet Blatter at FIFA's Zurich headquarters on Thursday.

'First and foremost I will welcome him to FIFA as the president of a country and then I will inform him of the executive commiteee's decision in the same terms I have used today,' Blatter said.

Blatter said that FIFA would host a medical conference on sport in extreme conditions in October that would look not only at the issue of high altitude but also those of heat, cold and humidity.

'As well as the medical aspect we must also consider the sporting aspects,' Blatter added.

'If a national team invites another team to play exclusively at 3,600 metres then it has to do with sports ethics and we must have an equal playing field.'

Offline Peong

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 7410
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #26 on: June 29, 2007, 01:06:16 PM »
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=442254&cc=5901

FIFA excludes La Paz from altitude ban - report


LA PAZ, June 28 (Reuters) - FIFA will allow international soccer games to be played in the Bolivian capital of La Paz even though it lies above 9,800 feet (3,000 metres), the president of the country's soccer federation told local radio on Thursday.

Soccer chief Carlos Chavez said he had received a statement from world soccer's governing body that said the stadium in La Paz would be eligible.

'The winner is our country, the winner is La Paz. La Paz is going to carry on being the venue for World Cup qualifiers,' Chavez told radio Panamericana from the Venezuelan city of San Cristobal, where Bolivia are taking part in the Copa America.

'The presence of our president in Zurich was a deciding factor,' he added.

Bolivian President Evo Morales visited FIFA headquarters in Zurich on Thursday and won assurances from FIFA president Sepp Blatter that he would reconsider the altitude ban, which had excluded La Paz because it lies at some 11,800 feet (3,600 metres) above sea level.

Blatter's pledge to reconsider La Paz's position came less than 24 hours after he announced FIFA would raise its controversial altitude limit from 2,500 metres (8,200 feet) above sea level to 3,000 metres.

FIFA introduced its original ban in May following concerns expressed by its medical committee over the health of visiting players and over possible unfair advantages for the home side.

Offline E-man

  • Moderator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 8711
  • Support all Warriors. Red, White and Blacklisted.
    • View Profile
    • T&T Football History
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #27 on: June 29, 2007, 02:52:40 PM »
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=442254&cc=5901

FIFA excludes La Paz from altitude ban - report


LA PAZ, June 28 (Reuters) - FIFA will allow international soccer games to be played in the Bolivian capital of La Paz even though it lies above 9,800 feet (3,000 metres), the president of the country's soccer federation told local radio on Thursday.

Soccer chief Carlos Chavez said he had received a statement from world soccer's governing body that said the stadium in La Paz would be eligible.

'The winner is our country, the winner is La Paz. La Paz is going to carry on being the venue for World Cup qualifiers,' Chavez told radio Panamericana from the Venezuelan city of San Cristobal, where Bolivia are taking part in the Copa America.

'The presence of our president in Zurich was a deciding factor,' he added.

Bolivian President Evo Morales visited FIFA headquarters in Zurich on Thursday and won assurances from FIFA president Sepp Blatter that he would reconsider the altitude ban, which had excluded La Paz because it lies at some 11,800 feet (3,600 metres) above sea level.

Blatter's pledge to reconsider La Paz's position came less than 24 hours after he announced FIFA would raise its controversial altitude limit from 2,500 metres (8,200 feet) above sea level to 3,000 metres.

FIFA introduced its original ban in May following concerns expressed by its medical committee over the health of visiting players and over possible unfair advantages for the home side.

 :rotfl: So if this is just for FIFA qualifiers who is still under the ban? Nepal Tibet?

Offline E-man

  • Moderator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 8711
  • Support all Warriors. Red, White and Blacklisted.
    • View Profile
    • T&T Football History
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #28 on: May 27, 2008, 01:27:00 PM »
FIFA suspends high-altitude ban

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) Soccer's governing body suspended its ban on international matches at high altitude, allowing Bolivia to host upcoming World Cup qualifiers at La Paz.

FIFA's executive committee also voted Tuesday to have the United Arab Emirates host the Club World Cup in 2009 and 2010, and Japan to host it in 2011 and 2012.

Mexico will host the Under-17 World Cup in 2011 and Colombia will host the Under-20 World Cup in 2011. Trinidad and Tobago will stage the 2010 Under-17 Women's World Cup if it submits remaining documentation.

In addition, the committee backed the objectives of FIFA president Sepp Blatter's plan to force clubs to field at least six players who are eligible to play for the national team of that team's country. European Union lawmakers have expressed skepticism, saying it would be illegal to prevent the free movement of players.

The Union of European Football Associations has discussed an alternate plan with a requirement for homegrown players that came up through a club's system, a proposal UEFA hopes will pass legal scrutiny.

Blatter expressed concern about attacks on immigrants in South Africa, where the World Cup will be played in 2010. The attacks left 56 people dead and forced 30,000 from their homes, South Africa Safety and Security minister Charles Ngakula said Monday.

''There was a lot of violence and death tolls. This is terrible,'' Blatter said.

FIFA's executive committee voted last May to ban international matches above 9,020 feet when visiting players did not have enough time to acclimatize. La Paz (11,800 feet) and Quito, Ecuador (9,285 feet) were the chief cities affected.

Bolivian president Evo Morales accused FIFA for imposing ''soccer apartheid'' on teams that play at high altitudes and nine nations of the South American confederation excluding Brazil sent a written plea to Blatter to revoke the altitude ban.

''Let us reopen the discussion,'' Blatter said.

As for the Club World Cup, the UAE beat out bids from Australia and Japan, which hosted the event in each of the past three years and will stage the tournament again this December.

Blatter said the resolution on his ''six-plus-five'' plan will be presented to the FIFA congress on Friday. It targets some Europe's richest clubs, which are stocked with foreign-born players.

''This will be more than just further talks and investigations,'' Blatter said. ''We don't want to go to confrontation.''

Restrictions on players from fellow European Union nations were declared illegal by the European Court of Justice in 1995. Blatter plans to meet with the president of the European parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering, on June 5 to lobby for support.

In other developments, FIFA's executive committee voted:

to ban Iraq from international soccer for one year unless it reinstates the national soccer association and Olympic committees it disbanded last week but remained confident the dispute will be resolved.

to sign the latest world anti-doping code.

approved UEFA's request that August dates for international exhibition games from 2009-13 be moved forward by one week, which likely would place them before the start of the English Premier League and German Bundesliga seasons.

changed the dates of the 2009 Under-20 World Cup in Egypt from Sept. 25-Oct. 16.

Offline Bakes

  • Promethean...
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 21980
    • View Profile
Re: FIFA ban international matches at high altitude
« Reply #29 on: May 27, 2008, 07:59:04 PM »
I came ready to cuss FIFA for caving into pressure on the high-altitude ban...but seeing that nine member-nations of CONMEBOL sent letters in support ah really cyah say nutten.

 

1]; } ?>