FIFA Bans High Altitude Matches

[northzax]

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2007/05/high_there.html

FIFA has banned all competitive internationals at altitudes higher than 8,200 feet. (seemingly arbitrary number) the Bolivians are not happy (La Paz is at 11,000+ feet) losing their home field advantage like that. I agree with them, frankly, this is absurd. Let countries play where they will, when they will, if they can get someone to come play them there. if you build a FIFA class stadium, you should be allowed to play in it (and FIFA class is, well, fairly loose) thoughts?

[jakefrep]

1. If I ever win one of those $300 million lotteries....

...I'm building a national soccer stadium in Anchorage. And the Mexicans thought Columbus was cold.

[northzax]

2. Anchorage? nah, not cold enough, too near the ocean

the new USSF stadium should be in Fargo. that'll teach the tricolores...

[nickgutierrez]

3. There's home field advantage...

...then there's taking the concept to the point of extremes. Having an advantage based on the emotion of the crowd and a sort of familiarity with the playing surface is one thing - placing a match in the kind of extreme environment, unique to a particular country, that places the away team at a distinct physical disadvantage, is quite different.

Good move by FIFA, for once.

[Phredicles]

4. 8,200 feet? So Azteca is okay, but La Paz is not. I guess the Bolivians

$hould have lobbied more per$ua$ively.

[underpants]

5. I'd assume Ecuador isn't happy either

they made it into the Cup only winning their home games