Living in Peru : your everyday companion

(LIP-jl) -- Last Sunday's FIFA decision to ban international matches played at altitudes above 2,500 meters (8,202 feet) has crossed into the political arena as Peruvian President Alan Garcia strongly called the move a "Europeanized" decision.

"I am totally against the decision. It is totally 'Europeanized' and insolent in nature. They see the world as if it were just one country," said Garcia during a press conference at the Government Palace this morning.

"Under their criteria, the world is not heterogeneous. Perhaps. Mr Bladder (referring to FIFA President Sepp Blatter) made the decision because he cannot play at altitudes above 2,500 meters," remarked Garcia.

The president declared that under FIFA's criteria, matches played in extremely cold and hot temperatures should be banned as well, mentioning Norway and Africa as two examples.

"I am absolutely positive that Bladder cannot play above 2,500 meters, so he probably assumes soccer players cannot either. Perhaps we should ban matches in hot regions such as Africa or in Norway where it is very cold," added Garcia.

Garcia commented that he fully agrees with the presidents from the Bolivian, Ecuadorian, Colombian, and Peruvian soccer federations to formulate a untied protest against soccer's government body.

"I think this is just the first step. First matches will not be played in high altitudes, then they will be banned in hot weather, and then in cold weather. In other words,  'play where I was born,' said Peru's president.

The South American's Executive Soccer Commission will meet on June 15th to further discuss whether or not they will take a course of action to officially protest FIFA's measure.

Despite threatening to pull out of the upcoming Copa America tournament yesterday, Peru's governing body decided to participate in the regional tournament after all.

Be sure to read more information on this subject by reviewing the 'related articles' below

- related articles -
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	Peru threatens to withdraw from Copa America after altitude ban (by LIP, 30 May, 2007)
	Peru's plan pushed FIFA to ban high altitude international matches (by LIP, 28 May, 2007)
	Peru falls in latest FIFA rankings (by LIP, 16 May, 2007)
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