Fifa climbs down on altitude rule
Conmebol's campaign brought some rewards
Fifa has relaxed its ban on World Cup qualifiers being played at altitude, imposing a new limtit of 3,000 metres.
The South American federation, Conmebol, appealed against a ban preventing international matches being played higher than 2,500 metres.
The increase now allows Colombia to play in their capital Bogota (2,640m), and Ecuador to play in Quito (2,800m).
Bolivia are still banned from playing in La Paz (3,650m), and Peru cannot stage internationals in Cuzco (3,400m).
World football's governing body will stage a special conference in October to discuss the staging of matches in all extremes, including altitude, heat, cold and humidity.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter said: "We are doing this for the protection of players.
"It is exclusive to World Cup qualifying matches, and does not concern national or continental competitions within South America."
Fifa imposed the ban on medical grounds, and claimed high altitude provided an unfair home advantage.
Fifa's executive committee re-examined its controversial ban amid differing medical opinions on the effects of playing at altitude.
Andean doctors on Conmebol's medical panel insisted that it causes "no major problems" provided there has been a period of acclimatisation.
Other medical experts claimed playing at elevation causes headaches, nausea, fatigue and insomnia.
Conmebol's Andean members claimed matches played in extreme heat and humidity - such as in Brazil - are medically dangerous, but Fifa has taken no action to ban them.
The South American federation also wants Fifa to study other factors that could cause medical problems, such as cold and snow.
Fifa had scotched suggestions from Conmebol that the world governing body will relax the rules so it will only affect stadia over 3,000 metres (9,840 feet).
Conmebol members presented a united front to Fifa, with South American giants Brazil and Argentina backing the protest despite their previous misgivings.
Both Brazil and Argentina have complained in the past about the disadvantages of playing at altitude.
from BBC