Olympics: S Korean player set to receive medal

Fifa has yet to reach a decision on Park Jong-Woo's disciplinary case.

SEOUL: The South Korean football player who inflamed a diplomatic row with Japan by waving a political placard at the London Olympics is finally set to receive his bronze medal. Park Jong-woo, banned from the medal ceremony at Wembley, has received a certificate confirming he would receive his medal, the Korea Football Association confirmed in a statement yesterday. The midfielder held up a sign referring to a territorial dispute between South Korea and Japan while celebrating a 2-0 win over their fierce rivals in the Olympic bronze medal match.

Park was handed the sign by a fan in the crowd but his actions prompted football’s world governing body Fifa to open disciplinary proceedings against him. However, the International Olympic Committee has finally signed off on his medal. Fifa has yet to reach a decision on his case. REUTERS

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1^st, 2012.