NEWS: The threat of a Copa America boycott appears to have been lifted after South America’s football federations united to reject a ban on matches being played at high altitude.
A meeting of CONMEBOL, the regional federation, agreed to call on FIFA to suspend the ban, which would affect several countries and clubs in the Americas.
The world football authority initially banned games from being played above 2,500 metres. Although, CONMEBOL officials say this has been risen to 3,000 metres, such a ban would still exclude games being played in Bolivia’s capital, La Paz, and the Peruvian city of Cusco.
FIFA argues playing at such heights is dangerous for players’ health, but others have argued it is no more of a concern than playing in very hot or very cold climates.
A protest against the ban was backed among politicians in the region, including Bolivia president Evo Morales and his Peruvian counterpart Alan Garcia.
At one stage, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and Ecuador were all thought to be considering boycotting the Copa America over the issue. But CONMEBOL’s united stance is now likely to see off that threat.
