NEWS: Politicians have thrown their weight behind criticism of FIFA’s ban on matches being played at high altitude — and the threat of a Copa America boycott refuses to fade.
Peru president Alan Garcia strongly described the decision as “insolent” and Ecuador foreign minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa said her government were working towards a joint protest with other countries hit by the ban.
It has been reported that Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia and Peru are considering boycotting the Copa America over the ban on staging games at more than 2,600 metres above sea level.
Living in Peru reports than President Garcia said: “I am totally against the ban. It is totally Europeanized. They see the world as if it were just one country.
“Perhaps we should ban matches in hot regions such as Africa or in Norway where it is very cold. I think this is just the first step.”
But while his country’s football federation seems to be softening its support for a Copa America boycott, Ecuador is supporting the proposal by Bolivia. Colombia, however, has suggested it will play in Venezuela.
Ecuador politician Espinosa told Xinhua: “As an Ecuadorian, I am very unhappy with the FIFA decision. We are speaking to other nations affected by the ban to put together a joint protest campaign.”
The Venezuela Football Federation is supporting the affected countries in their bid to overturn the ban, but said it would accept no blackmail with regard to a Copa America boycott.
The South American federations will meet on June 15 — 11 days before the start of the Copa America — to discuss a response to FIFA’s ban.
