By Kim Young-jin
FIFA has ended its probe into allegations that North Korea disciplined its national football squad for losing all three of its matches at the World Cup in South Africa.
The sport’s governing body opened the investigation two weeks ago after Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported that the team, upon its return, was forced to endure a six-hour public shaming and its coach was rumored to have been sentenced to work at a construction site.
In a letter, the North Korean football association told FIFA that there were “no sanctions to the coach and reports on this matter were baseless.”
FIFA was satisfied with the explanation, saying Wednesday on its website it has “decided to close the matter” after having “checked
all of its sources.”
It added that the association says the team and its coach are training as usual ahead of the Asian Games slated for November.
FIFA was also convinced that the federation’s election of a new president was not affected by the World Cup results. Under regulations, governments are forbidden from interfering in football business.
The North lost all three of its first round games. After a surprisingly strong showing in a 2-1 loss to Brazil, the squad was lambasted by Portugal 7-0, and beaten by Ivory Coast 3-0.
The RFA report said the team was summoned to the Palace of Culture on July 2 for the alleged shaming.