Elevation Revelation

June 6th, 2007 | By: Trent | 10 Comments »

I know this is going to come as a shock to the FIFA people in Switzerland, but there are in fact 10 countries in CONMEBOL, and sometimes they even qualify and advance in the World Cup. I swear I’m not making this up–check here if you don’t believe me.

Anyway, as we all know, FIFA has banned international qualifying matches that take place at over 8,200 feet (2,500 meters) elevation. In other words, Ecuador can no longer host matches in its capital city! This is scandalous.

When will Daryl Hannah weigh in on this anyway?

The reason given by FIFA, of course, is the health and safety of the visiting players. When Flamingo played earlier this year in Bolivia (4,000 meters up btw), the Brazilian club players complained about the conditions. FIFA, always wanting to ensure that Brazil and Argentina remain fat and happy, enthusiastically endorsed a ban.

No word on whether Brazil will no longer be allowed to stage matches in Sao Paolo, because, you , know, it can get hotter there than in Bolivia.

This is pretty weak.

Tags: altitude, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, CONMEBOL, Daryl Hannah, Ecuador, elevation, FIFA

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Comments

By rone | June 6th, 2007 at 11:08 am

As others have pointed out, i guess this means that Mexico, host of two world Cups, will never get to host one again if it plans to have its capital in the mix.

As far as Ecuador goes, my suggestion was to thumb their nose at FIFA and play all games in Tumbaco, which is less than an hour out of Quito and just barely under 2500m a.s.l.

Posted from United States

By Christian | June 6th, 2007 at 11:12 am

FIFA IS A SHAM!! GIVE FOOTBALL BACK TO THE PEOPLE WHERE IT BELONGS!

Posted from Australia

By Leon | June 6th, 2007 at 8:51 pm

Hey Rone,
Unfortunately Mexico city is 2,300 meters and therefore can host matches. Tumbaco is a good choice because it is closer to wife’s hometown of Cumbaya! It beats going up to Quito. How about Latacunga? That is my birth place? Lol!

By kn | June 7th, 2007 at 8:00 pm

I’d like for the games to be played in Guayaquil, in the Monumental Isidro Romero. Even though this is a stupid decision, i would be able to go there since my family is living there.

Hey, doesn’t everyone know Ecuador beat Peru 2-0 yesterday? I don’t know if everyone knows.

Posted from United States

By Trent | June 7th, 2007 at 8:25 pm

Yep, a nice rebound from La Tricolor in Spain.

By Christian | June 8th, 2007 at 8:00 am

AWESOME!! Nice goals too! both games are on YouTube Trent if you wanted to put them up well done guys back on the winning road nice to see Ulises get the 2 goals in the two games also are we playing Bolivia in a final friendly soon also ?