LA PAZ - Bolivian president Evo Morales and his Brazilian counterpart Luis Inazio 'Lula' Da Silva have expressed their discontent at FIFA's decision to ban international matches at high altitude.
The world governing body on Saturday confirmed there will be a reinstatement of a ban on international games staged at stadiums over 2,750 metres above sea level unless there is an adequate period of acclimatisation.
That means Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia cannot play in Quito (2,800 metres), Cusco (3,400 metres) and La Paz (3,600 metres) respectively if teams do not have the necessary time to get used to the conditions.
In a document signed by both presidents, Lula and Morales defended "the right to practise it (football) where each person is born and lives".
Morales had already complained about this ban on Sunday, saying: "I find this decision strange.
"We appeal to the consciousness of a lot of countries who agree with this because there are no laws, no rules. No constitution can be untouchable or unreviewable.
"Instead of demanding us changing stadiums, I respectfully ask FIFA to change the system of the World Cup they organise."
