North Korea coach Yun Jong-Su has been banned for a year for a furious rant at the Asian Games in October, severely denting the team's preparations for next month's Asian Cup. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) threw the book at Yun after he launched a tirade of abuse at match officials following North Korea's 1-0 defeat by bitter rivals and hosts South Korea in the Asian Games final in Incheon.
The confederation cited "offensive behaviour" in suspending him from all AFC competitions for 12 months. The AFC said on its website that Yun was still permitted to register as a team official and attend training sessions, but was banned from the dressing room or the area surrounding the field of play. Asia's governing body also suspended North Korea player Kim Yong-Il for six months for misconduct after being shown a red card at the end of a tempestuous final on October 2, which hosts South Korea won 1-0 with virtually the last kick of extra time.
North Korea have been drawn alongside China, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan in Group B at the Asian Cup in Australia, which takes place from January 9-31. Coach Yun raged at officials after defender Rim Chang-Woo had smashed home the last-gasp winner, shaking his fists and barking "it's not fair" as he stormed off the pitch, while his players wept uncontrollably.
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