LONDON (AP) — Soccer’s governing body is reviewing evidence that a South Korea player displayed his country’s flag with a political slogan on it after the team beat Japan in the Olympic men’s football bronze-medal match.
South Korea defeated Japan 2-0 on Friday, hours after President Lee Myung-bak visited islets that are disputed between the two countries. The presidential visit prompted Tokyo to recall its ambassador from Seoul.
The match in Cardiff, Wales, was seen as potentially raising diplomatic tensions, and a South Korea flag with a slogan supporting sovereignty of the islands was reportedly displayed on the field.
FIFA says it was “made aware of this incident” and its disciplinary panel chairman will study photos from the stadium.
FIFA statutes prohibit political statements being made at its matches.
