FIFA Denies Punishment Claims Against North Korea Coach and Players
Defamation Lawsuit Filed in Response
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(London, England) - Wed 25 Aug 2010 0601 EDT - FIFA has strongly refuted allegations that North Korea coach Kim Jong-hun and several players were punished for their disappointing performance at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
The allegations, which were first reported by the South Korean news agency Yonhap, claimed that the coach and players were sent to labor camps or subjected to other forms of punishment after the team's elimination from the tournament in the group stage.
FIFA has filed a defamation lawsuit against Yonhap, accusing the agency of spreading false information without verifying its sources. The lawsuit also alleges that Yonhap's reporting was intended to damage the reputation of FIFA and the North Korean Football Association.
Several human rights groups have criticized FIFA's decision to sue Yonhap, arguing that it could have a chilling effect on freedom of expression in North Korea. However, FIFA has defended its actions, stating that it has a duty to protect its reputation and to ensure that accurate information is reported about its activities.
The case is expected to be heard in a London court later this year.
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