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Five North Koreans test positive to banned substance at Women's World Cup
FIFA president Sepp Blatter says the latest doping revelation is a shock and a 'very, very bad case' after five players from the Asian nation tested positive.
Jul 16, 2011 11:31:00 PM
By Ben Somerford
Bongarts
The number of North Korea's national team members who have tested positive to banned substance at the 2011 Women's World Cup has risen to five after a further three more players failed drug tests.
North Korea's entire team was targeted for drug testing after the group match against Colombia following failed tests from Song Jong-Sun Song and Jong Pok-Sim.
And now a further three players have tested positive, although FIFA said it wouldn't disclose the players' names nor the banned substance.
A statement read: "As the proceedings are still in progress, FIFA will not disclose the names of the three players whose test results have produced adverse analytical findings, in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code."
FIFA president Sepp Blatter told a news conference he was stunned by the results.
“This is a shock,” Blatter said. “We are confronted with a very, very bad case of doping and it hurts.”
However, North Korea officials are blaming traditional steroid-laced Chinese medicine from musk deer glands which they claim they used treat injuries to players who were alleged to have been hit by a lightning strike.
“The North Korean officials said they didn’t use it to improve performance," FIFA head of medical committee Michel D’Hooghe said.
“They said they had a serious lightning accident with several players injured and they gave it as therapy.”
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North Korea's entire team was targeted for drug testing after the group match against Colombia following failed tests from Song Jong-Sun Song and Jong Pok-Sim.
And now a further three players have tested positive, although FIFA said it wouldn't disclose the players' names nor the banned substance.
A statement read: "As the proceedings are still in progress, FIFA will not disclose the names of the three players whose test results have produced adverse analytical findings, in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code."
FIFA president Sepp Blatter told a news conference he was stunned by the results.
“This is a shock,” Blatter said. “We are confronted with a very, very bad case of doping and it hurts.”
However, North Korea officials are blaming traditional steroid-laced Chinese medicine from musk deer glands which they claim they used treat injuries to players who were alleged to have been hit by a lightning strike.
“The North Korean officials said they didn’t use it to improve performance," FIFA head of medical committee Michel D’Hooghe said.
“They said they had a serious lightning accident with several players injured and they gave it as therapy.”
Follow Goal.com on
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
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