OAS asks FIFA to reconsider high-altitude ban

PANAMA CITY, June 6 (Reuters) The Organisation of American States (OAS) called on FIFA yesterday to reconsider its decision to ban high altitude soccer internationals, a ruling that has infuriated Andean countries.

In a resolution sought by Bolivia, the hemispheric body said FIFA's decision was a ''negative precedent and restricts international soccer-playing for the hemisphere's peoples.'' The resolution stopped short of explicitly rejecting the FIFA measure as Bolivia had hoped.

FIFA banned international matches over 8,200 feet (2,500 meters) last week, saying that playing soccer at high altitude posed a risk to health and was against fair play. Under the ban soccer-loving nations Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia would not be able to host games in some of their largest cities.

''We do not understand why FIFA has to ban this sport for those of us who live above 2,500 meters,'' Bolivian Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca told reporters at the OAS meeting in Panama City.

The resolution's language had to be toned down before low-lying football powers like Brazil would approve it.

Bolivia plays home World Cup qualifying matches in its capital La Paz, located at 11,811 feet (3,600 meters) where oxygen levels are considerably lower than at sea level.

The FIFA ruling came after a Copa Libertadores match between a Brazilian club and a Bolivian side that took place at almost 13,123 feet (4,000 meters) above sea level and ended with some Brazilian players needing medical attention.

Bolivia has charged that the move is a discriminatory attempt to take away the country's marked home field advantage for World Cup qualifying.

The OAS normally deals with key political regional issues including drug trafficking, terrorism, poverty and democracy.

REUTERS TB PM1005