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South Korea still want North to play Japan at home
South Korea's soccer federation is still pushing for North Korea's politically charged World Cup qualifier against Japan next month to be played in Pyongyang rather than at a neutral venue, the federation said on Monday. FIFA, world soccer's governing body, plans to ask Thailand formally on Monday to host the match in Bangkok after sounding out Thai officials first, a FIFA spokesman said on Saturday. The Bangkok Post reported at the weekend the Group B match would be played at the Rajamangala National Stadium there. Japan have said they would be happy to play in Thailand. FIFA ordered the June 8 clash to be played in a neutral country behind closed doors following crowd trouble after North Korea's 2-0 defeat by Iran in Pyongyang on March 30. The Korean Football Association, the South's soccer body, said it was still angling for FIFA to soften the blow. "The KFA is talking with officials from the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and FIFA to have the next match held in Pyongyang," You Young-cheul, the KFA's media relations director, said by telephone. "We are doing our best to have the game held in North Korea as scheduled but under the condition that Pyongyang provides solid security guarantees," You said. FIFA punished North Korea after angry fans hurled bottles, rocks and other projectiles in protest at a late sending-off in the game against Iran at Kim Il-sung Stadium. Soldiers moved in to restore calm as North Korean fans prevented Iran's bus from leaving the stadium after the game in a rare display of public disorder in the state. PETITION Some Japanese officials fear their country's colonial past on the Korean peninsula could make their team a target, too. More than 120 South Korean members of parliament approved a petition to FIFA asking it to reduce the punishment against the North and allow the match to be played in South Korea. "We think it's appropriate to reduce the punishment by having at least spectators allowed," said the letter, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters. The parliamentarians are from opposition and ruling parties. "We hope FIFA can play an important role in promoting peace and co-operation in northeast Asia, which is facing intensifying tension due to the North's nuclear weapons programme, by picking South Korea as a neutral venue," it said. The KFA sounded hesitant about the politicians' proposal, which was also unlikely to be greeted enthusiastically in Japan. "Considering South Korea's relations with the North, we think it's a little bit sensitive to ask FIFA to pick Seoul as a neutral venue," said You. KFA officials are helping the North with an appeal. Last week, North Korea's state-run media criticised FIFA's decision as unjust. Neutral observers have also questioned the severity of FIFA's punishment.
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