SANTIAGO, Chile -- South American soccer officials unanimously supported playing matches at high altitude, responding Tuesday to recent FIFA proposals that virtually would ban Andean venues in Bolivia and Ecuador.
The decision was made during an emergency meeting in Santiago, said Eduardo Deluca, secretary general of CONMEBOL, the South American soccer confederation.
Deluca noted, however, that for games corresponding to tournaments organized by FIFA, the decision depends on the world body, not CONMEBOL.
"So we will now go to FIFA with good arguments and backed by a scientific-medical commission," Deluca added. He did not elaborate.
CONMEBOL vice president Eugenio Figueredo said the South American confederation will next seek a meeting with FIFA to discuss the issue.
Bolivian delegate Carlos Chavez said he was "very happy with this show of unity and for the support we have received."
At a meeting Dec. 15 in Tokyo during the Club World Cup, FIFA's executive committee decided to "highly recommend" three days of acclimatization for teams traveling to play games above 8,200 feet, a week for games above 9,000 feet, and a minimum of two weeks for games above 9,800 feet.
Those requirements would make playing many games impractical, specifically World Cup qualifiers, when South American teams often play consecutive matches within days of each other.
CONMEBOL leaders decided that the matches of their main regional club tournament, the Copa Libertadores, will be played as usual this year, including matches at stadiums located in high altitude cities.
Bolivia feels especially threatened by efforts to ban high altitude matches, because its capital, La Paz, is located 11,800 feet above sea level.
The Ecuadorean capital of Quito, at 9,190 feet also would be affected.
