South American presidents rally against FIFA altitude ban

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2007

LA PAZ (AFP) — The presidents of Argentina, Uruguay and Venezuela on Wednesday joined their Bolivian counterpart Evo Morales in demanding that FIFA reverse a ban on high-altitude stadiums being used for international matches.

World football's governing body on Sunday introduced the new ruling banning matches at more than 2,500m above sea level, citing its wish to better protect players' health.

The ruling has stirred up a storm in Latin America, led by Morales.

"This ban discriminates against the legitimate right of people to play football and ignores the principle of equality and universality inscribed in the Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations," Morales said Tuesday.

And Wednesday he said that Argentina head Nestor Kirchner, Uruguay's...