South American soccer federations have unanimously agreed to exempt La Paz from a ban that disallowed international soccer matches above 3,000 metres, defusing one of the last controversies over the restrictions that sparked outrage in Andean nations.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter released a statement in Maracaibo, where he will attending today’s Copa America final between Brazil and Argentina, that CONMEBOL officials unanimously approved Bolivia’s request for the waiver for La Paz. The move had been anticipated after Blatter announced in Guatemala City on July 6 that he was in favour of a waiver and that it was up to the other South American nations to give their approval.
At a press conference Friday, Blatter said medical experts from around the world would convene in Zurich in October to study the health effects of what he called “soccer in extreme conditions” — snow, humidity, different hours of the day and also high altitude.