According to several news sources, Diego Maradona recently flew to Bolivia to play in a performance match with the country's president, its politicians and football stars. Although Maradona might be a little worse for wear after the past decades, the focus of the match was not on his abilities; rather it was a protest against FIFA's recent order to ban matches at high altitudes.

Recently, FIFA stipulated that for matches played at more than 2,700 metres above sea level, players must be granted a seven-day "acclimatisation period." Because the air is thinner at high altitudes, FIFA reasons that home players accustomed to such an environment have an unfair advantage, particularly when engaging in high-level physical activity. Since the present Premiership schedule cannot accommodate this new order, the regulation places an effective ban on all matches played at high altitudes. This is why Bolivia and Ecuador, both high-altitude countries, might reasonably object.

Understandably, FIFA is making an attempt at a "fair game," but to be honest, does such a thing even exist? After all, all matches have to be played on someone's home turf, so invariably a visiting team has to put up with the jeers and insults from the home crowd. And with current football schedules being so tight, days of rest between matches often vary. Inconsistent officiating, bad weather and bad luck also work toward an unfair playing field.

All sports and athletic competitions suffer, across the board, from the same handicaps. But these competitions also encourage their players to give their best in the face of adversity, despite inherent disadvantages, in the name of sportsmanship. In the same way, life is also like a sport. With enough effort and perseverance, one can still prevail in the game of life, despite an unfair situation.

By Tuta

*Translation from Chinese article.