A high altitude row in the Libertadores

Written by Joe Kent , 19.02 23h37

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Today (Monday) the Bolivian FA denied that Brazil would be forced to play at over 4,000 metres above sea level when the countries meet in the 2010 qualifiers.

Bolivian national team coach Erwin Sánchez had called for the game to be moved from its usual venue in La Paz to the city of Potosi, in apparent retribution for claims made by Flamengo.

The high altitude row began following Flamengo’s away Libertadores fixture against Real Potosi. It was held in the city that is 4,067 metres above sea level and ended in a 2-2 draw. Several Flamengo players reported feeling unwell and others had to be brought oxygen to make it through the game.

On their return to Rio Flamengo issued a statement declaring they would no longer play at altitudes that exceeded “limits recommended by sports medicine.”

In response Potosi sated, “We will not play where it is hot because mosquitoes and humidity are inhospitable conditions.” Indeed temperatures in Rio can rise to well above 40.

National coach Erwin Sánchez became embroiled in the dispute after he told a local paper, “If God has placed us in a particular kind of geography we should profit from it.”

The usual venue for World Cup Qualifiers is the Herman Sales stadium in La Paz, nicknamed the Condor’s Nest it sits at 3,600m above sea level. Sánchez had argued that the game should be moved to Potosi where Flamengo played last week but the Bolivian FA has insisted this will not happen.

Flamengo’s complaint is two fold; in part they argue that playing a high altitude is unacceptable as it gives the home team an unfair advantage - a view that seems to be born out in the stats.

The BBC’s South-American football correspondent Tim Vickery points out that of the 40 home games played by Bolivia’s three Libertadores regulars (Bolivar, The Strongest and Potosi) collectively they have won 25 and drawn nine. In their 38 away games they have just one win between them and two draws.

Flamengo’s second claim is that playing at such altitudes represents a health risk. While it is accepted that adapting fully to high altitude can take several weeks playing in extreme heat may well represent a greater health risk.

The Rubro-Negro have asked the Brazilian FA (CBF), the Soth American Football Association (Comebol) and FIFA to intervene.

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