FIFA to Re-Examine Altitude Ban

June 25th, 2007 | by: WC Bob | Comments Off

In the continuing controversy over FIFA’s decision to ban international soccer matches held at venues over 8,200 feet, it appears that Sepp Blatter is starting to back away a bit from his position. Never one to be consistent, Blatter uttered a few phrases that might give hope to those in Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia fighting for the right to play in thin air.

At a press conference in Chicago, IL., on Sunday, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said: “Matches can be played at 8,000 feet, if a country so decides, but medical studies have demonstrated that playing at that altitude can be harmful to a soccer player’s health — especially if he has not had sufficient time to acclimatize.

Indeed, Blatter is concerned about the health of players, but apparently that only applies to the health of players trying to qualify for the World Cup. The rest of the lot can go ahead and suffer as they please.

“We have never said you can’t play,” he added. “This is only for the qualifications for the World Cup. Club competitions, national competitions, they can play wherever they want to play.”

FIFA will meet on Wednesday to further discuss the matter. You have to think that they are in a tough position. On the one hand if they allow games to be played at high altitude and something terrible actually does happen to a player, they are going to get reamed. On the other hand, the ban is discriminatory and has failed in the court of public opinion. I wouldn’t be surprised if a deal is hammered out with Boliva and others and a “compromise” is announced to help FIFA save face.