Death of Bolivian ref puts altitude matches in spotlight

LA PAZ - The death of a Bolivian referee officiating a match at more than 4,000 meters above sea level has reopened debate about the safety of playing soccer at such altitude.

Victor Hugo Hurtado collapsed while refereeing a Bolivian first division match between local side Always Ready and visitor Oriente Petrolero last Sunday in El Alto, at 4,090 meters,

Hurtado went into cardiac arrest and was stretchered from the field before being taken to hospital, where he died following a second heart attack.