Bolivian Referee Death Puts Altitude Matches Under Spotlight
Muhammad Rameez Published May 21, 2019 | 10:05 PM
The death of a Bolivian referee officiating a match at more than 4,000 meters has reopened the debate about the safety of playing football at such altitude
Victor Hugo Hurtado collapsed while refereeing a Bolivian first division match in El Alto, at 4,090 meters, between the local side Always Ready and visitors Oriente Petrolero.
He had suffered a cardiac arrest and was stretchered from the field before being taken to hospital, where he died following a second heart-attack. He was just 32.
The El Alto municipal stadium is the highest in the world that is home to a professional football team, according to a banner displayed outside the ground.
It is more than 400 meters higher than the El Hernando Siles stadium (3,660 meters) in nearby La Paz that is used by the Bolivian national team.
Always Ready's club doctor Erick Koziner insisted altitude played no part in Hurtado's death.
"There was no pulmonary edema, that is the first thing observed in altitude sicknesses before it passes into the cardiac system," said Koziner after performing the autopsy.
Bolivia's football federation president Cesar Salinas told Diez.com website that "people inside and outside who don't like us will try to use this incident" against Bolivian football.
He insisted tests have previously "proved" playing at altitude "has no effect."One of Hurtado's cousins, Orlando Herrera, told local media that the referee was used to altitude as he had previously lived in El Alto, once a sprawling La Paz suburb that has grown into it's own city.
Pedro Saucedo, head of Bolivia's refereeing commission, told Los Tiempos newspaper Hurtado had displayed "no signs of tiredness, nothing suspect" at half-time during the match. "He even told a joke."
Recent Stories
DP World ILT20 Season 3 to begin from 11 January 2025
Sharjah Public Library unveils interactive arts and crafts journey at SCRF 2024
"Wonder Walks” show makes an enthralling debut at SCRF 2024
Remarkable Young Minds Light up the Stage at Sharjah Children’s Reading
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 12 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 12 May 2024
Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's visit schedule being discussed
Govt decides to procurement wheat from farmers
Deputy PM to pay 4-day visit to China from Monday
Pakistan seeks foreign investments in diverse sectors: PM
Digital transformation key priority for govt to improve tax collection: Aurangze ..
President-designate of COP29 for collective efforts to deal with climate change ..
More Stories From Sports
-
SAF National Physical Disability T20 cricket championship: Lahore phase to start from Tuesday
4 minutes ago -
Softball gaining popularity in Pakistan: Asif Azeem
2 hours ago -
DP World ILT20 Season 3 to begin from 11 January 2025
2 hours ago -
IPC Minister praises Pak hockey team for superb performance in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
6 hours ago -
Japan wins Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
19 hours ago -
Central Asian Volleyball League kicks off
20 hours ago
-
Lahore wins National Women’s One-Day Cricket Tournament by 8 wickets
21 hours ago -
SA Gardens, Wapda move in National Challenge final
1 day ago -
SA Gardens to face Wapda in National Challenge Cup final on Sunday
1 day ago -
Pakistan hockey team to play Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024 final today
1 day ago -
Mbappe says he will leave PSG at end of season
2 days ago -
Shakib claims four as Bangladesh edge Zimbabwe
2 days ago