ZURICH: FIFA has kicked North Korea out of the next Women’s World Cup in 2015 after five of their players tested positive for steroids at the tournament last month.
FIFA on Thursday imposed bans of up to 18 months on all five players, who North Korean officials said were treated with a traditional musk deer gland therapy after being struck by lightning at a pre-tournament training camp.
Jong Pok Sim, Hong Myong Hui, Ho Un Byol and Ri Un Hyang were suspended from all football-related activity for 18 months, while Song Jong Sun was ineligible for 14 months, FIFA said.
North Korea’s football federation was fined $400,000, and team doctor Nam Jong Ae banned for six years.
“The fine exactly corresponds to the prize money the association would have received for their 13th place in the final ranking of the Women’s World Cup in Germany,” FIFA said.
The doping incident was the most serious seen at a FIFA tournament.
Defenders Song and Jong failed drugs tests before the World Cup game against Colombia, leading to the entire squad being subjected to unannounced testing by FIFA after their final match.
FIFA’s disciplinary panel also banned Colombia backup goalkeeper Yineth Varon for two years for doping at the tournament.—AP
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