Liverpool FC Forum

by **Rafa D** » Mon May 28, 2007 8:53 am

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6697159.stm

Bit of a joke this.

Part of football is going to hard places and getting a result, no more football in Moscow now because its too cold, or perhaps no football in Asia because its too hot?

No Fu.cking Chance because of the money involved.

F.uck Off Fifa.

by **babu** » Mon May 28, 2007 9:20 am

i don't know RD. Have not read the link (coz its blocked at work), but i think they may be coming from the point of view of player safety. If you're not aclimatised to the altitude, running for 90 minutes could be quite dangerous. there are some small time leagues out there, that may not give a s.hit.

by **Rafa D** » Mon May 28, 2007 9:38 am

Last Updated: Sunday, 27 May 2007, 22:31 GMT 23:31 UK

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Fifa bans high-altitude football

A match at nearly 4,000m in Bolivia left some players needing oxygen
Football's governing body, Fifa, has banned international teams from playing matches at more than 2,500m (8,200ft) above sea level.
Fifa said the decision was made because of concerns over players' health and possible distortion of competition.

The ruling was greeted with dismay in Latin America, notably in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, where games in La Paz are played at an altitude of 3,600m.

Peru had hoped to stage upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Cuzco, at 3,400m.

Local commentators in Peru suggested Fifa made the decision after pressure from South America's two major football powers, Brazil and Argentina.

Both nations have struggled in recent years while playing at altitude, where the thin air hands an advantage to those acclimatised to the conditions.

'Discrimination'

Playing sport in conditions of high altitude places heavy demands on the body, forcing the heart to work harder.

To play at above that altitude is not healthy or fair

Sepp Blatter
Fifa president
Earlier in 2007, Brazilian club Flamengo said they would not play again at altitude after several of their players needed oxygen during a game against Bolivian team Real Potosi, held at nearly 4,000m (13,120ft).

Bolivian football officials described the ban as an "injustice" and "discrimination", the EFE news agency reported.

But Fifa's President Sepp Blatter said the organisation had anticipated protests from Latin America.

"The executive committee have listened to a proposal from the medical committee and have decided to act because to play at above that altitude is not healthy or fair," he said.

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Thats the article mate.

I know they are using the players health etc, but its not Bolivia's fault there captial is over the limit is it?

If it was a major nation they would never bring this out.

by **The Manhattan Project** » Mon May 28, 2007 11:15 pm

Part of football is going to hard places and getting a result, no more football in Moscow now because its too cold, or perhaps no football in Asia because its too hot?

Away matches are always tough, but reasonable limits have to be set.

Playing in Boliva is like playing on top of two Ben Nevis' stacked on each other.

It's unfair, and generally yes if the temperatures dropped or rose too high in Russia or some Arab nation for example, I'd oppose that too.

by **RUSHIE#9** » Mon May 28, 2007 11:40 pm

Any decision that disadvantages somebody in any way is going to cause complaints from that person but on this occassion I think FIFA are making the right choice. It's clearly been decided on to safeguard the health of players and I doubt there is anybody that would want to see what happened to Marc Vivian Foe happen again on a football pitch.

I agree that if this is going to be a new trend then they will start ruining football but when you get instances of players not being used to the altitude and needing oxygen then it's clear that the problem needs looking at.

by **The Manhattan Project** » Tue May 29, 2007 1:11 am

FIFA got concerned when opposition players started using Sherpas to take free kicks and established Base Camps in the six yard box.

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