Morales forces FIFA altitude rethink

FIFA president Sepp Blatter is to reconsider a ban on high altitude soccer matches following a meeting yesterday with Bolivian President Evo Morales.

"I am going to reconsider this decision," Blatter said less than 24 hours after announcing FIFA would raise its controversial altitude limit from 2,500m (8,200 feet) above sea level to 3,000m (9,800 feet).

Blatter, who spent around 40 minutes discussing the issue with Morales, said he would summon an emergency committee and announce a final decision sometime next week.

The emergency committee consists of Blatter as FIFA president and the presidents of FIFA's six continental confederations including Nicolas Leoz of Paraguay, the president of CONMEBOL, the South American confederation and the one most affected by the ruling.

Morales has led a vigorous campaign against the FIFA altitude ban, which threatens to outlaw World Cup qualifiers in Bolivia's capital La Paz, situated at 3,600 metres (11,800 feet) above sea level.