Bolivia president Evo Morales has accused FIFA of discriminating against certain nations after introducing a ban on international matches played at an altitude higher than 2,500m above sea level.
Bolivia are one of the countries affected by FIFA's decision as they play their matches at the Hernando Siles stadium in La Paz, which is 3,600m above sea level.
Morales told Chilean newspaper El Mercurio: "FIFA and South American officials cannot make the historic mistake of excluding and discriminating against people who are born, live and practise sports at altitude.
"They cannot punish those of us who live near the mountains."
Morales confirmed he would be travelling to Asuncion in Paraguay, where the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) will have a special meeting on June 14 and 15 to discuss the possibility of asking FIFA to review the issue.
"We have never thought something like this could even happen," Morales said.
"But I'm sure that, as the feeling of the sporting world is one of integration, FIFA cannot divide South America by banning games at altitude.
"If FIFA bans matches at altitude, we could not talk about a football World Cup, but about a World Cup at limited altitude."
Morales told Chilean newspaper El Mercurio: "FIFA and South American officials cannot make the historic mistake of excluding and discriminating against people who are born, live and practise sports at altitude.
"They cannot punish those of us who live near the mountains."
Morales confirmed he would be travelling to Asuncion in Paraguay, where the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) will have a special meeting on June 14 and 15 to discuss the possibility of asking FIFA to review the issue.
"We have never thought something like this could even happen," Morales said.
"But I'm sure that, as the feeling of the sporting world is one of integration, FIFA cannot divide South America by banning games at altitude.
"If FIFA bans matches at altitude, we could not talk about a football World Cup, but about a World Cup at limited altitude."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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