Bolivian leader slams FIFA over high altitude games

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2008

LA PAZ (AFP) — Bolivian President Evo Morales on Monday accused FIFA of killing off football in high-altitude nations by making an adaptation period obligatory for matches played at over 2,500 metres.

"(It's a) way of cutting up the world...a death sentence for the universality of football," Morales told the TVB television network, as he called on the South American football federation (Conmebol) to "defend sport at altitude".

Bolivian Football Federation (FBF) president Carols Chavez claimed on Friday that world football's governing body had set periods of adaptation for matches played at altitude but FIFA have yet to officially confirm this.

Chavez claimed that under the directive a three-day adaptation period would be required for matches played at 2,500m...