FIFA denies rumours of North Korean defections

FIFA denied rumours that four North Korea players listed as no-shows for their match against Brazil had gone missing.

The official teamsheet for the North Koreans' defeat to Brazil listed substitute goalkeeper Kim Myong-Won, An Chol-Hyok, Kim Kyong-Il and Pak Sung-Hyok as 'absent'.

"We have no information that the players may have disappeared," a FIFA spokesman said.

"Our liaison officer with North Korea hasn't signalled anything to us."