ZURICH (AP) — FIFA has suspended five members of North Korea’s Women’s World Cup team who tested positive for prohibited substances and banned them from the 2015 tournament.
FIFA says Thursday that Jong Pok Sim, Hong Myong Hui, Ho Un Byol and Ri Un Hyang have been suspended from all soccer-related activity for 18 months, while Song Jong Sun is ineligible for 14 months.
North Korea’s soccer federation also has been fined $400,000, while team doctor Nam Jong Ae has been banned for six years. FIFA didn’t identify the substances.
Defenders Song and Jong failed drugs tests before North Korea’s World Cup game against Colombia. FIFA then tested the entire team.
Colombia’s Yineth Varon also received a two-year ban for doping.
