NKorea seeks FIFA probe into food-poisoning claim

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea has accused rival South Korea of making its players ill with "adulterated foodstuff" before last week's World Cup qualifier.

The North Koreans want FIFA to investigate the claim.

The North's football association also claimed in a statement late Sunday that the alleged food-poisoning is part of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's "moves for confrontation" with the North.

North Korea coach Kim Jong Hun raised the allegation after losing 1-0 to South Korea on April 1.

"It was beyond all doubt that the incident was a product of a deliberate act perpetrated by adulterated foodstuff, as they could not get up all of a sudden just before the match," a statement from the North said, expanding on complaints Kim made in the wake of the loss.

Kim had asked for the match to be delayed and moved to a neutral site, claiming three of his players had food poisoning. FIFA rejected the request. The South's football federation said a professional sports doctor examined the North Korean players and found no serious problem. More detailed examinations, including blood tests, were refused.

The North's football association also renewed a complaint about the decision of the referee not to award a goal early in the second half of Wednesday's game, claiming star striker Jong Tae-se's header crossed the goal line before it was saved. Television replays were inconclusive.