March 31, 2008	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 22, 1429

LA PAZ (Bolivia), March 30: Bolivia will take their case against FIFA’s ban on international games at altitude to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport, the country’s chief soccer official said on Saturday.

“We have determined ... to fight for our rights,” Bolivian federation president Carlos Chavez said in announcing it will formally file its appeal next week.

Ratified earlier this month, FIFA requires players to acclimate for at least a week before international games above 2,750 metres (9,000 feet), and two weeks for matches higher than 3,000 metres (9,800 feet).

With matches – especially World Cup qualifying games – often scheduled within days of one another and fitted within league fixtures, the rule virtually bans games at those altitudes.

FIFA said it was concerned about negative health effects on players unaccustomed to thin air. At 3,640 metres (11,900 feet) elevation, the Bolivian capital of La Paz is affected by the rule.

Bolivian President Evo Morales has lobbied hard against the ban and recently announced that the country was preparing a lawsuit against FIFA, although without giving details or saying before which authority it would be filed.

Retired Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona has publicly backed Bolivia, as have several Latin American nations including Peru, Ecuador and Colombia – which also play some home matches high in the Andes.

“We maintain our original position that soccer should be played in its natural venues, regardless of the question of altitude,” Colombian soccer federation president Luis Bedoya said on Saturday.

Bolivia are scheduled to play a World Cup qualifier in June against neighbouring Chile, who agreed to come to La Paz despite the FIFA regulation.—AP