March 16, 2008	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 7, 1429

ZURICH, March 15: FIFA has accepted a proposal to standardise the size of international soccer pitches at all new stadiums in the world.

The world governing body’s executive committee on Friday adopted a new rule from the International Football Association Board to fix the pitch size at 105 metres (yards) by 68 metres.

The rule will not apply to existing stadiums, and it will not affect the international eligibility of Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where the United States is negotiating to play Argentina in a friendly match on June 8.

Before the 1994 World Cup in the United States, FIFA said the Giants Stadium could accommodate a 103-by-63 meter pitch.

Also Friday, FIFA restated its opposition to Bolivia playing international matches 3,600 meters (11,800 feet) above sea level in its capital city La Paz.

FIFA health regulations insist players and officials must acclimatize for at least two weeks before playing at altitudes above 3,000 meters.

The Bolivian national federation must now propose venues for its remaining home matches in South American qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup.

FIFA recorded a surplus of US$49 million in 2007. The annual financial report showed total assets of nearly US$1.2 billion (euro770 million).—AP