Conmebol to ask Fifa to suspend veto on high altitude play (17 Jun 2007 18:33 GMT)
The South American Football Confederation will ask FIFA to suspend its prohibition of international games held 2,500 metres above sea level, the confederation?s executive committee said on Friday.
Conmebol?s secretary general Eduardo Deluca said in a Press conference that the committee decided unanimously to request a suspension "until all analyses are completed."
"We understand that some elements for consultation may be missing to be able to have a firm and fair resolution," Deluca said.
In an effort to change that, Conmebol will ask FIFA to allow greater participation in the process by those countries directly affected, he said.
FIFA President Joseph Blatter announced the decision not to allow international games above 2,500 metres altitude in late May.
The matter provoked even presidential responses across Latin America, with several national football associations taking steps to defend the status quo.
Conmebol?s three representatives at FIFA ? Paraguay?s Nicolas Leoz, Argentina?s Julio Grondona and Brazil?s Ricardo Teixeira ? are to present the South American position to the executive committee of the top world football organization on June 27 in Zurich.
"The sense of understanding among all members prevailed, and a total solidarity was expressed with all countries potentially affected by FIFA?s ? I would say transient ? resolution," said Conmebol President Leoz.
The FIFA ruling most affected Bolivia, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador. Five key Bolivian cities, including the capital La Paz, are located at too high an altitude to see official international play. Peru?s Cusco is also prevented from holding games, along with the Colombian capital Bogota and Ecuador?s capital Quito.
source : Khaleej Times