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Andean soccer fans angry about FIFA's altitude ban

Bolivian President Evo Morales says FIFA's decision to ban all international soccer matches above 2,500m discriminates against Latin America's high-altitude nations.

FIFA's ruling on Sunday drew outrage from fans and administrators 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 on 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, 3,600m above sea level.

FIFA has cited a concern for players' health, as well as the 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, as well as the Colombian capital of Bogota (2,640m), the Ecuadorean capital Quito (2,800m) and the Peruvian city of Cuzco (3,400m).

Most of Mexico City falls under the limit at 2,200m, but Toluca -- Mexico's most successful club in recent years -- is above the limit.

Fans expressed frustration, and soccer officials in the affected countries played down altitude's effects.

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

"When you play a match at 40oC, 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 4,000m.

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.
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