Thailand to host Japan-N. Korea match
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-05-08 09:41

Thailand will host the World Cup qualifying match between Japan and North Korea that FIFA ordered moved from N. Korea because of fan violence.

Worawi Makudi, secretary-general of the Football Association of Thailand, on Saturday said soccer's world governing body called the association on Wednesday to ask whether the June 8 match could be held in the Southeast Asian nation.

"We called them back on Thursday, after I discussed it with our executive committee ... to say we are OK to host this match," Worawi said.

The game is scheduled for Bangkok's Rajamangala National Stadium, barring any changes by FIFA.

FIFA last week ordered that North Korea play the qualifier in a neutral country as punishment for crowd trouble in the capital, Pyongyang, during its 2-0 loss against Iran in March, and complaints about refereeing in an earlier loss against Bahrain.

During the Iran match, fans threw bottles and chairs onto the field when the referee turned down appeals for a penalty after a North Korean player apparently was pulled down by an Iranian.

The Iran team and game officials were forced to remain in the stadium until police and soldiers stopped the violence.

In addition to ordering the match moved, FIFA also fined the North Korean soccer association $16,770.

On Friday, North Korea called on FIFA to reconsider its decision and "make a wise judgment," repeating accusations of refereeing bias in earlier matches held there.

North Korea's losses against Iran and Bahrain seriously jeopardize its chances of qualifying for its first World Cup since 1966.

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