NY Coed Soccer

North Korean Women Riot On Field

North Korea's women's soccer players and officials have disgraced themselves in Australia by karate kicking a referee and hurling bottles when a decision went against them.

Shocked Asian Football Confederation officials yesterday banned three players from a World Cup qualifying match tomorrow and cautioned three others after the team became violent in the final minutes of an Asian Cup semi-final against China in Adelaide on Thursday night.

Goalkeeper Hye Yong Han was caught on video chasing Italian referee Anna De Toni, and then kicking De Toni in the back as the referee was escorted off the pitch by security guards and police.

A witness said Han had "blood in her eyes" as she and at least three others ran towards De Toni after the game. "She looked as if she was going to kill someone," the witness said.

With the game already into injury time and China leading 1-0, the North Koreans scored a goal, but it was disallowed by an assistant referee who waved the offside flag.

The players ran towards the assistant referee yelling abuse but De Toni restored order, issuing a yellow card warning, and the game was played out.

Photographer Tom Miletic, a former soccer referee, said he saw players surround and push De Toni when the match finished and watched in alarm as Han ran past looking furious.

He said De Toni said De Toni confirmed later she was kicked.

"I've been involved in the game for many years and I have never seen anything like it," Miletic said.

While Chinese officials calmed their supporters, North Korean team officials on the bench joined in the fracas as water bottles and other missiles were hurled into the crowd. Three players, including Han, were suspended for violent conduct, two were cautioned for dissent and another for unsporting behaviour.

The incident has been referred to the Asian Football Confederation disciplinary committee, which could impose fines or additional bans.

Confederation media director Clare Kenny Tipton banned the North Korean team from a post-match news conference. Confederation president Mohamed bin Hammam from Qatar said yesterday the players' behaviour should not reflect on North Korea and was an issue only for the individuals concerned. "One has to be fair also to North Korea," he said. "I think they are the best players in the competition. From my point of view they are always disciplined …"

See for yourself how disciplined these classy ladies are. We give you two options - the Asian news reports that give you the, um, 'highlights'. Or for those with a little more time on your hands, view the episode as it unfolded live, including the various decisions that led to the Koreans exploding, and all accompanied with excitable Korean commentary.

Option 1 :  Korea 1

Option 2 :  Korean 2

And just in case you are interested, China went on to win the Asian Cup by defeating Australia 4-2 on penalties...

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What do you think?