This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6726293.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Andean nations to oppose Fifa ban Andean nations object to Fifa ban
(about 12 hours later)
Representatives from five Andean nations are to meet in Bolivia to discuss opposition to Fifa's ban on high-altitude international football. Representatives from five Andean nations have signed a declaration in Bolivia opposing Fifa's ban on high-altitude international football.
Bolivia has led opposition to the ruling, which bans games at grounds higher than 2,500m (8,200ft). The document will be presented next week to the South American Football Federation, which may veto the ruling.
Games in Peru, Ecuador and Colombia will also be affected, while Venezuela has been invited to the meeting too. The ban affects teams in Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile and Bolivia.
The five will call for Latin America's football authority to use an upcoming meeting to veto Fifa's ruling. The affected countries have been accused of using their high-altitude grounds to gain a competitive advantage - a claim they strongly deny.
They will present a joint declaration to the South American Football Federation, which is to meet next week in Paraguay. The declaration signed in La Paz stated that Fifa's decision to ban games at grounds higher than 2,500m (8,200ft) above sea level was wrong on medical, political and sporting grounds.
The BBC's South America correspondent Daniel Schweimler says the countries of the Andean mountains have rarely been so united on an issue. The Andean representatives heard scientific evidence and laid the blame for the ban on footballing giants Argentina and Brazil, which have struggled at altitude in recent years.
Bolivia has also taken its fight to Panama, where the Organisation of American States is meeting.
BBC South America correspondent Daniel Schweimler says if the ban is ratified, Bolivia may take Swiss-based Fifa to the European Court of Human Rights.
Our correspondent says the Andean countries have never taken the football world by storm but they view the game very seriously and say all they want is a level playing field, regardless of the altitude.
Opposition mountsOpposition mounts
According to the new rules both the Bolivian capital, La Paz, and the capital of Ecuador, Quito, will be barred from staging international matches. According to the new Fifa rules both the Bolivian capital, La Paz, and the capital of Ecuador, Quito, will be barred from staging international matches.
Fifa said it took the decision based on expert medical opinion, saying that playing games at high altitude posed health risks.Fifa said it took the decision based on expert medical opinion, saying that playing games at high altitude posed health risks.
LATIN AMERICAN CITIES Bolivia: La Paz - 3,600m (11,811ft)Ecuador: Quito - 2,800mColombia: Bogota - 2,640mPeru: Cuzco - 3,500m Will Fifa ban come unstuck? The governing body also fears that playing at high altitude can distort competition.LATIN AMERICAN CITIES Bolivia: La Paz - 3,600m (11,811ft)Ecuador: Quito - 2,800mColombia: Bogota - 2,640mPeru: Cuzco - 3,500m Will Fifa ban come unstuck? The governing body also fears that playing at high altitude can distort competition.
Peru had planned to stage several qualifying games for the 2010 World Cup at an altitude of 3,500m in the city of Cuzco.Peru had planned to stage several qualifying games for the 2010 World Cup at an altitude of 3,500m in the city of Cuzco.
But all the affected nations deny using altitude to gain an unfair advantage.But all the affected nations deny using altitude to gain an unfair advantage.
Peruvian and Bolivian soccer officials have laid the blame for the ban on Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, all of which have struggled at altitude in recent years.
A Bolivian newspaper says it has collected one million names on a petition against the ban.A Bolivian newspaper says it has collected one million names on a petition against the ban.
President Evo Morales has already demonstrated his opposition to the ban by playing football outside his presidential palace. Bolivian President Evo Morales has already demonstrated his opposition to the ban by putting on his own boots and playing at 3,500m.
Now a protest match is being organised in the rarefied air of Sajama, a town in south-western Bolivia, at an altitude of about 6,000m. Now a protest match is being organised in the rarefied air of Sajama, a town in south-western Bolivia, at an altitude of about 4,300m.