Living in Peru : your everyday companion

(LIP-jl) -- The Peruvian Soccer Federation (Federación Peruana de Fútbol -FPF) announced that it may go along with Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia and withdraw from the upcoming Copa America soccer tournament in protest of FIFA's decision to ban matches played at altitudes above 2,500 meters (8,202 feet).

"We will support them in each possible way, including not playing in the Copa America, because the measure imposed by the FIFA also affects us," said FPF Vice-President Julio Pastor.

According to Pastor, the measure will affect the country of Bolivia the most since they play all of their matches in the capital city of La Paz, located at more than 3,600 meters (11,811) above sea level.

Other important South American cities that will feel the affects of FIFA's decision, if it is upheld, are: Quito, Ecuador -located at more than 2,800 meters (9,186 feet), and Bogota, Colombia -located at 2,650 meters (8,694 feet).

"We had planned to play some our matches during the upcoming qualifying matches in Cuzco (3,600 meters/11,811 feet). This was going to be our first time playing such matches in Cuzco," added Pastor.

He also downplayed the idea that FIFA made the decision based on Peru's plan to play in Cuzco.

"This has been an issue that FIFA has been contemplating for a long time. It has nothing to do with Peru's decision to play in the city of Cuzco," indicated the FPF vice-president.

Nonetheless, he added that comments made by some Peruvian players and directors who wanted to play Brazil and Argentina in Cuzco, alerted soccer officials in those countries to take their necessary precautions.

"It turns out that it wasn't convenient to talk about the Cuzco proposal. We should have been much more secretive about it," he concluded.

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