![North Korean players attack referee during a knockout game [VIDEO]](https://mirrorafricandiaspora.com/storage/2023/10/586A0601-3D79-43BD-BB39-643BDFFEDCFF-jpeg.webp)
After being defeated 2-1 by Japan in the Asian Games quarterfinals on Sunday, a few North Korean players attempted to assault their referee, Rustam Lutfullin.
A video showed the referee surrounded by other officials who were attempting to cool down the tense situation.
According to the Daily Mail, the North Korean players were upset when Lutfullin gave Japan a penalty.
The North Korean coach, Sin Yong Nam, raced to his players in an effort to diffuse the situation after the altercation drew the attention of the assistant referees and many security personnel.
After many altercations with referees on the pitch in Hangzhou on Sunday, Sin Yong Nam defended his players by claiming that their actions had been “acceptable” despite the mayhem.
See video below:
