"Was That Fair Play?" North Korean Soccer Team Blames Referee, Leaves Stadium Without Handshakes [Nagoya Asian Games]

[Financial News] The North Korean men's national soccer team, which lost 0-1 to Japan in the men's soccer quarterfinals at the 2026 Asian Games, sparked controversy over unsportsmanlike conduct by strongly protesting the referee's decisions, leaving the field and refusing to shake hands.
In the 39th minute of the first half of the quarterfinal at Toyota Stadium on the 26th, Japan's Uche Nwadike beat a North Korean defender in a challenge and scored the opening and ultimately winning goal. The North Korean players then surrounded the referee and protested vehemently, claiming that Nwadike had committed a pushing foul during the scoring play. With no video assistant referee (VAR) used in the match, the decision was not overturned. The North Korean players moved toward their bench and refused to resume play for about three minutes.
The uncomfortable scenes continued after the final whistle. Once the 0-1 defeat was confirmed, the North Korean players headed straight to the stands where supporters of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) were seated, without exchanging the customary post-match greetings with the Japanese players.
Ri Kwang-chon, head coach of North Korea, acknowledged the defeat at a post-match press conference but made no attempt to hide his lingering resentment over the officiating. Ri said, "I do not really understand whether the goal we conceded was in keeping with the spirit of fair play." He added, "If things continue this way, I don't think there will be fair play. There seems to be a problem with the referee."
Assessing North Korea's performance in the tournament, he said, "As I have seen the players improve with each game, I am happy as a coach. I believe we can achieve much better results if we prepare with confidence." To the approximately 200 Chongryon supporters who came to the stadium despite the pouring rain, he expressed his gratitude, saying, "I am sorry that we could not give our compatriots the joy of victory. We ran and ran throughout the tournament, carrying an inexhaustible passion in response to your passionate cheers."
This is not the first time North Korea has caused a commotion at the Asian Games against Japan over dissatisfaction with the officiating. In the quarterfinals of the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, which North Korea lost 1-2, North Korea received six yellow cards for rough play. The team also sparked controversy by taking a water bottle from a Japanese staff member and threatening him, as well as chasing the referee and protesting vehemently after the match ended.

[email protected] Park Ji-hyun Reporter