London 2012: Fifa charges South Korea player over political banner

• Incident occurred during win over Japan in bronze-medal game
• IOC also launches investigation into Park Jong-woo's actions

Park Jong-woo
Park Jong-woo, second right, holds a sign which reads "Dokdo is our territory" after South Korea's win over Japan at the London 2012 Games. Photo: Newsis/Reuters

Fifa have charged a South Korea player after he displayed a sign with a political message during his side's bronze medal win over Japan in Cardiff.

Park Jong-woo allegedly displayed a banner supporting Korean sovereignty over a group of islands claimed by the two countries. Hours before the game, Japan withdrew its ambassador from Seoul after South Korea's president, Lee Myung-bak, visited the islets his country calls the Dokdo chain, which is Takeshima to the Japanese.

A Fifa spokesman said: "In view of the information currently at his disposal, the chairman of the Fifa disciplinary committee has this afternoon decided to open disciplinary proceedings against Park Jong‑woo, regarding his behaviour after the match played between the Republic of Korea and Japan on 10 August 10.

"The KFA and the player now have a deadline of 16 August to provide their position. Further information will be provided in due course." The International Olympic Committee is also investigating.

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