Olympic Blunder: South Korean FLag Raised for North Korea Vs Colombia Football Game

güttsfükk · #1 ● 07-25-2012, 05:08 PM

An Olympic women's football game at Hampden has been delayed after officials displayed the wrong flag before kick-off.

The match between North Korea and Colombia had yet to start when the flag of South Korea was shown on a giant monitor at the Glasgow stadium.

When the blunder became apparent, the North Korea team refused to take to the pitch for their warm-up and instead returned to their dressing room.

The Colombian team, who had been waiting in the players' tunnel, also went back to their own dressing room when it became obvious the match was not going to start on time.

Hampden staff then tried to entice the North Koreans back out by offering to announce the teams again, this time with the correct flag on display.

At 8.25pm, the team came back on the pitch. The match, which had been due to begin at 7.45pm, will now start at 8.50pm.

Those at the scene say that many supporters have left the venue as a result of the late start.

In a statement, the Olympic organising committee (Locog) said: "Today ahead of the women's football match at Hampden the South Korean flag was shown on a big screen instead of the North Korean flag.

"Clearly that is a mistake. We will apologise to the team and the national Olympic committee and steps will be taken to ensure no repeat."

South Korea and North Korea exist as neighbours but have a far from harmonious relationship.

The countries were formally established as separate entities in 1948, and the Korean War began in 1950.

Only two years ago, North Korean artillery shells killed four people, two from the military and two civilians, on Yeonpyeong Island in South Korea.