[Asian Games] North Korea Soccer Loses to Japan and Causes Scandal... Faces Judgment from FIFA and AFC

North Korean player Kim Yu-seong demanded water from a Japanese staff member who entered the field, and when the staff did not hand over the water quickly, he raised his fist as if to commit violence and received a warning.
[Image source=YouTube MBC News]

The North Korean men's soccer team reportedly caused excessive disturbances during their match against Japan at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, prompting the Japan Football Association to send a letter of complaint to the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

According to the Japanese sports media outlet Nikkan Sports, the Japan Football Association sent footage on the 3rd to both organizations, criticizing the behavior of North Korean players during the men's soccer quarterfinal held on the 1st at the Xiaoshan Sports Center Stadium in Zhejiang Province, China, as "unsportsmanlike."

The specific scenes in the footage have not been disclosed.

Earlier, North Korea lost 1-2 to Japan in the men's soccer quarterfinal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games held at the Xiaoshan Sports Center in Hangzhou, China.

In this match, North Korea conceded the opening goal to Uchino Kotaro at the 5th minute of the second half, and Kim Gukbeom scored the equalizer at the 29th minute of the second half. However, they eventually lost to Japan after conceding a penalty kick to Matsumura Yuta at the 35th minute of the second half.

North Korean men's soccer team protesting to the referee. [Photo by Yonhap News]

North Korea strongly protested the penalty kick decision, claiming it was unfair, but the referee's decision was not overturned.

Even after the match ended, North Korean players did not leave the field and collectively rushed toward the referees, pushing them with their bodies and arms and grabbing their necks, exhibiting behavior that crossed the line.

In particular, North Korean player Kim Yuseong demanded water from Japanese staff who entered the field, and when the staff did not hand over the water quickly, he raised his fist in a manner that seemed to threaten violence, for which he received a warning.

North Korean coach Shin Yongnam said at a post-match press conference, "It is true that the players got a bit excited due to today's incorrect call," but added, "If the referees are not fair, I think it is an insult to football."