LA PAZ (Reuters) - A controversial FIFA ban on playing international football games at high altitudes has handed Bolivian President Evo Morales a rallying cause that is proving popular in the Andean country.

Since world football's governing body made the ruling last month, Morales has made getting it scrapped a personal crusade -- donning his soccer gear for mountain-top kickabouts, calling emergency cabinet meetings and sending ministers to doorstep FIFA headquarters in Switzerland.

While critics say his approach smacks of populism, it is going down well with many ordinary Bolivians, who acknowledge their country's natural advantage in high-altitude matches with unabashed delight.

"His position in defence of altitude is very admirable and it's meant he's won greater acceptance, even among the middle class," said Bolivian military retiree Robin Johns, 55, doing a crossword puzzle outside of La Paz's international soccer stadium, located some 3,600 metres (11,800 feet) above sea level.

Leftist Morales, a former coca farmer raised in the Andean highlands, appears keen to keep the issue high on the agenda at a time when his plans for constitutional reform are drawing fierce opposition and sometimes violent protests.

Although a constitutional assembly is struggling to find consensus on other issues, it voted unanimously for a resolution condemning the FIFA ruling, which also affects Ecuador, Colombia, Peru and Mexico.

'PERFECT OPPORTUNITY'

In mountainous La Paz, banners have sprung up in parks and plazas, vowing to defend football at altitude, and local media have launched a campaign for readers to send a million letters of protest to FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

Reuters