High-altitude football controversy

The high-altitude football controversy was a dispute that arose in May 2007 when the FIFA imposed a temporary ban on international football matches held at altitudes exceeding 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) above sea level. The ban was justified by concerns over player health and the competitive imbalance for teams unaccustomed to high-altitude conditions. The ruling particularly affected Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia, restricting their ability to host World Cup qualification matches in high-altitude cities like La Paz and Quito. After significant protest and negotiations, the ban was revoked in May 2008.
The controversy originated from complaints lodged by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), which argued that playing at high altitudes posed significant health risks to players not acclimatized to such conditions. The issue gained prominence following an incident involving the Brazilian club Flamengo, whose players required bottled oxygen during a Copa Libertadores match against Real Potosí in Potosí, Bolivia, at an altitude of 3,967 metres (13,015 ft). The adverse conditions, compounded by inclement weather, led Flamengo and other Brazilian clubs to express concerns and threaten boycotts of matches at high-altitude venues. These complaints contributed to FIFA’s decision to introduce the ban.
In response to these concerns, FIFA’s Executive Committee announced a temporary ban on international matches played above 2,500 metres (8,200 ft). The ruling stipulated that players would need to arrive at least one week prior to matches held at altitudes between 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) and 3,000 metres (9,800 ft), and at least two weeks prior for matches above 3,000 metres (9,800 ft), to allow adequate acclimatization. This effectively prevented some South American nations, including Bolivia and Ecuador, from hosting international fixtures in high-altitude cities.
President Evo Morales denounced the ban as discriminatory, describing it as a form of 'football apartheid,' arguing that it marginalized high-altitude nations. Morales convened an emergency cabinet meeting and initiated a campaign to overturn the ban, emphasizing the principle of universality in sports. He argued that the ban infringed upon the rights of nations with high-altitude regions and called for solidarity among other countries to challenge FIFA’s decision.
The campaign against the ban garnered support from prominent football figures, including Diego Maradona. To protest FIFA’s decision, played in an exhibition match at Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz (3,600 metres), highlighting that football could still be played competitively at high altitudes. Maradona’s team secured a 7–4 victory over a Bolivian team led by President Morales, symbolizing a protest against the ban.
Despite initial resistance, FIFA modified the ban in June 2007, raising the altitude threshold from 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) to 3,000 metres (9,800 ft). This adjustment reduced the impact on some cities but continued to exclude venues like La Paz. South American football associations, excluding Brazil, expressed their opposition to the ban and committed to playing matches at venues selected by the host nations, regardless of altitude.
In May 2008, following a formal protest from the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL), FIFA’s Executive Committee unanimously agreed to suspend the altitude ban. The protest was supported by all CONMEBOL member associations except Brazil. FIFA President Sepp Blatter acknowledged the need for further research on the effects of extreme conditions, including altitude, temperature, humidity, and pollution, on player health. Blatter stated, “Let us reopen the discussion,” signaling a willingness to consider scientific evidence before implementing measures.
Despite occasional discussions—such as Blatter’s 2010 statement that altitude was 'not on FIFA’s agenda' —the ban was never reinstated, allowing high-altitude nations to continue hosting international matches.