South America to ask FIFA to reconsider ban
Decision becomes a major political issue in Andean nations
The South American Football Confederation (CSF) is to ask world soccer's governing body FIFA to reconsider a ban on international matches being played at high altitude.
"Our representatives will ask for this ruling not to be applied until an exhaustive analysis has been completed," CSF general secretary Eduardo Deluca told reporters after an executive committee meeting late on Friday.
Doctors from the Andean countries say they can produce evidence that playing at high altitude does not pose any risk to the players.
Deluca said the CSF's decision was unanimous, even though Brazil and Argentina have often complained bitterly in the past about playing matches at high altitude.
FIFA decided last month to ban international games at more than 2,500 metres above sea level.
The ruling affects mainly Bolivia, who play in La Paz at 3,600 metres, and Ecuador, who play at 2,800 metres in Quito.
Bolivia's only viable alternative would be the lowland city of Santa Cruz while Ecuador would have to play in the tropical port of Guayaquil.
Ecuador, who had never previously played at a World Cup, qualified for the 2002 and 2006 tournaments thanks to their record at Quito's Atahualpa stadium where they are unbeaten for almost six years.
If matches were allowed at 3,000 metres they could be played in Bogota, the capital of Colombia.
Peru, who traditionally play at sea level in Lima, had been contemplating moving matches to high altitude Cusco in a bid to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1982.
FIFA's decision caused an outcry in the Andean nations where the matter has become a major political issue.
Bolivia President Evo Morales has led the campaign to have the ruling overturned and last week took part in a kickabout with aides on a mountain at nearly 6,000 metres above sea level.
Morales visited the CSF headquarters before Friday's meeting.
"We have come here in the name of the Bolivian people and the people of the Andean region to appeal for sporting justice," he said.
"We ask you with great respect and humility not to exclude or marginalise us."
Earlier on Friday, FIFA denied a suggestion from a prominent member of the CSF's medical committee that it had lifted the limit to 2,800 metres.