Japan submits letter to North Korea over Asian Games soccer ‘anti-sport’ behavior
The Japan Football Association has reportedly submitted a letter to the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the 바카라사이트 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) criticizing the behavior of North Korea’s players and medical staff at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
According to Japanese sports media outlet Nikkan Sports, the Japan Football Association sent a video to the two organizations on Wednesday, saying the behavior of North Korean players during the men’s soccer quarterfinal match at Xiaoshan Sports Center Stadium in China’s Zhejiang province was “anti-sporting.
“Video footage of certain scenes was sent to the two organizations, but it was not disclosed what those scenes were,” Nikkan Sports added.
In the match, which Japan won 2-1 to advance to the quarterfinals, North Korean players ran to the referee after the final whistle to protest.
Unhappy with the referee’s call for a penalty kick that led to Japan’s winning goal, some of the players pushed the referee with their bodies and arms, making threatening gestures.
The players’ pushing of the referee became so aggressive that North Korean coaches stepped in to break them up.
One player was even warned for threatening the Japanese medical staff who entered the field during a brief stoppage in play.
“It’s true that (the players) were a bit excited by the incorrect calls today,” North Korean coach Kim Jong Nam said in the post-match press conference, adding, “I think it’s an insult to football when referees are not fair.”
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