Football: Its a funny old game.

[fretslider]

Not so funny in North Korea, though.

The entire squad was forced onto a stage at the People's Palace of Culture and subjected to criticism from Pak Myong-chol, the sports minister, as 400 government officials, students and journalists watched. The players were subjected to a "grand debate" on July 2 because they failed in their "ideological struggle" to succeed in South Africa.

The team's coach, Kim Jong-hun, was reportedly forced to become a builder and has been expelled from the Workers' Party of Korea.
The coach was punished for "betraying" Kim Jong-un - one of Supreme Leader Kim Jong-il's sons and heir apparent. The country, in its first World Cup since 1966, lost all three group games – including a 7-0 defeat to Portugal.

The broadcast of live games had been banned to avoid national embarrassment, but after the spirited 2-1 defeat to Brazil, state television made the Portugal game its first live sports broadcast ever. Following ideological criticism, the players were then allegedly forced to blame the coach for their defeats.

Only two players avoided the inquisition - Japanese-born Jong Tae-se and An Yong-hak, who flew straight to Japan after the tournament. However, media in South Korea say's the players got off lightly by North Korean standards. In the past, North Korean athletes and coaches who performed badly have been sent to prison camps.

Now there's an idea, lets put the English squad in a boot camp, geddit!

[Big Lin]

How on earth would the precious little darlings like Rooney and Gerrard and Ashley Cole survive?

[aubrey]

They should have had Kim Jong-il in the team. He can do anything, can't he? 7 holes in one in one game, etc. Scoring 6 goals in a match would be a piece of piss to him.