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FIFA Signs Deal, Seeks To Air World Cup In North Korea
FIFA Signs Deal, Seeks To Air World Cup In North Korea
FIFA, world's football governing body, said Monday it has signed a deal with Asia's broadcasters' union in an effort to air World Cup matches in North Korea, one of 32 nations participating in the South African finals.The last time the dark-horse team made it to the World Cup finals was in 1966 in England.
Last week, North Korea was found to have broadcast the opening match between hosts South Africa and Mexico despite its lack of broadcasting rights.
South Korean broadcaster SBS has the World Cup broadcasting rights for the Korean Peninsula.
In an e-mail response to questions from Yonhap News Agency on the matter, FIFA said that it has signed a deal with the Asian-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) to deliver matches live in the communist country.
"ABU has now signed. FIFA is working with ABU to get the signal to North Korea," FIFA said, but did not provide terms of the deal due to the sensitivity of the matter.
"We expect that they show the matches live subject to FIFA guidelines and instructions."
Otherwise, North Koreans viewers will miss out unless they obtain a pirated signal from South Korea -- an illegal practice that has already threatened to increase political tension between the two states. Previous talks between SBS and North Korea collapsed amid ongoing political tension between the divided countries.
South Korea holds North Korea responsible for the sinking of a warship in late March. North Korea denies any role and has threatened war if sanctions are imposed on the country.