By Duncan Mackay at the Palace Hotel in Lausanne
December 7 – A Disciplinary Commission has been set-up by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) which could see South Korean footballer Park Jong-woo denied the bronze medal he won at London 2012 for his political protest.
The decision by the IOC’s ruling Executive Board follows the announcement by FIFA on Monday (December 3) to ban him for two games and fine him 3,500 Swiss francs (£2,400/$3,800/€2,900).
Park waved a banner saying “Dokdo is our territory” referring to a territorial dispute between South Korea and Japan while celebrating his team’s 2-0 win over their fierce rivals in the Olympic bronze medal match at Wembley Stadium in August.
Park still has to receive his medal even though the Korean Football Association (KFA) claimed in October that the fact he had received a certificate which confirmed he would get it.
It will now be up to the IOC will decide whether to award Park his medal based on FIFA’s disciplinary ruling.
The IOC’s Olympic Charter prohibits any display of political statements by participating athletes and coaches.
FIFA has also warned the KFA at its hearing for failing to instruct players on rules of conduct.
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