In today's newspaper, a top FIFA official announced that the June 8 World Cup qualifying match between North Korea and Japan may be one played behind closed doors. The North Korea - Iran match was disrupted by both violence on the field and in the stands.
It is also reported that the FIFA match commissioner, Sunil Senaweera, and the match referee, Mohammend Kousa were held up at the airport customs and then, had their cash confiscated. It was only after direct intervention by a Syrian diplomat and the North Korean Football Association official did the money return to its owners.
I don't believe the North Korean government will guarantee the safety of the Japanese national team nor will they protect the FIFA match official, referees and other personnel. North Korea is a nation about to erupt in a massive uprising. The North Korean fans believe their 'bullying' will produce the results they want on and off the field.
I hope the Japanese government sends armed soldiers to North Korea and escorts the players to and from the airport. If the North Korean government does not permit armed Japanese soldiers to protect the players and Japanese national team officials, I believe the next match, June 8th, should be played in a neutral third country. I really do think it is time that the world take a stand against North Korea and show that their 'bullying' will no longer be tolerated by the international community.
Either the world tells North Korea how to behave in international sporting competitions now or we can expect to see more violence. How will the offiicials of the Olympics handle such behaviour at the next summer Olympics? Why the world is "SO" willing to negotiate with North Korea is beyond me.
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