UPDATE 1-Soccer-Brazil criticised for not backing Bolivia

(adds Libertadores from 14th para)

By Daniela Desantis

ASUNCION, April 3 (Reuters) - Brazil came under fire from fellow members of the South American Football Confederation (CSF) on Thursday for failing to support Bolivia over a ban on matches at high altitude.

Brazil refused to join the nine other federations in signing a declaration of support for Bolivia, who have been barred from playing World Cup qualifiers in La Paz under a FIFA ruling.

It was a rare split at the CSF, where decisions tend to be unanimous and which gave Brazil full support in its bid to stage the 2014 World Cup.

In 2003, the CSF voted unanimously to back Brazil as its only candidate to host the event, which is being held in South America under FIFA's rotation policy. Brazil were awarded the tournament by FIFA last year after standing unopposed.

"Unfortunately, we did not have the same consensus as we had when everyone backed Brazil's candidacy to organise the 2014 World Cup," said Manuel Burga, president of the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF).

Carlos Chavez, president of the Bolivian federation, said Brazilian officials had told him they did not want to go against the country's clubs, who are strongly opposed to games at high altitude.

"It's something which we are unhappy about because the CSF's philosophy is to not have any divisions, as this strengthens our policies elsewhere," he said.