| High-altitude football controversy | |
| Date: | May 2007 – May 2008 |
| Venue: | Various high-altitude stadiums |
| Location: | South America |
| Type: | Sports controversy |
| Cause: | FIFA’s temporary ban on international matches above 2,500 meters |
| Outcome: | Ban revoked in May 2008 |
| Participants: | FIFA, CONMEBOL, national football associations, players |
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 2500m (8,200feet) above sea level.[1] The ban was justified by concerns regarding player health and the perceived “unfair” advantage to teams accustomed to high-altitude conditions. The ruling particularly affected national teams such as Bolivia, Ecuador, and Colombia, as it prevented them from hosting FIFA World Cup qualification matches in their respective capital cities. After significant protest and negotiations, the ban was revoked in May 2008.[2]
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.[3] 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 3967m (13,015feet).[4] The adverse conditions, compounded by inclement weather, led Flamengo and other Brazilian clubs to threaten boycotts of matches at high-altitude venues, which pressured FIFA to enact a ban.
In response to these concerns, FIFA’s Executive Committee announced a temporary ban on international matches played above 2500m (8,200feet). The ruling stipulated that players would need to arrive at least one week prior to matches held at altitudes between 2500m (8,200feet) and 3000m (10,000feet), and at least two weeks prior for matches above 3000m (10,000feet), to allow adequate acclimatization.[5] This effectively barred several South American countries from hosting international fixtures in their capital cities, which are situated at high elevations.
The ruling elicited strong opposition from affected nations, particularly Bolivia. President Evo Morales denounced the ban as discriminatory and likened it to “football apartheid.”[6] 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. Maradona participated in an hour-long exhibition match at Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz, which is located at an altitude of 3600m (11,800feet), to demonstrate that even individuals not acclimatized to high altitudes could perform effectively.[7] 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 2500m (8,200feet) to 3000m (10,000feet).[8] This adjustment reduced the impact on some cities but continued to exclude venues like La Paz. South American football associations, excluding Brazil, collectively agreed to disregard the ban, committing to play matches in the stadiums chosen by the host nations irrespective of altitude.[9]
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.[10] Blatter stated, “Let us reopen the discussion,” signalling a willingness to consider scientific evidence before implementing measures.
Despite occasional discussions, including statements by Blatter in 2010 suggesting the altitude issue was “not on FIFA’s agenda,”[11] the ban has not been reinstated, which allow nations with high-altitude venues to continue hosting international matches.