AFC moves cup final from Pyongyang to Shanghai after North Korea’s ‘uncooperative’ World Cup 2022 qualifier against South Korea

First Korean derby in 30 years played out to empty stadium and not broadcast live, despite efforts from South

Moving game between April 25 SC and Lebanese side Al Ahed to China, with Chinese FA support, ensures commercial partners

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North Korea and South Korea play in the Fifa 2022 World Cup qualifiers at Kim Il-sung Stadium in Pyongyang. Photo: AP

Published: 12:00pm, 23 Oct 2019Updated: 12:00pm, 23 Oct 2019

The AFC Cup final between North Korea’s April 25 Soccer Club and Lebanon’s Al Ahed on November 2 will be played in Shanghai rather than Pyongyang, the Asian Football Confederation has announced.

Asian football’s governing body said they were “compelled” to make the decision following the fallout from North Korea’s recent hosting of South Korea in the World Cup qualifiers.

“The AFC, after careful consideration of the challenges affecting the commercial, broadcasting, media, accessibility and logistical arrangements, is compelled to assign the final match to be played in a neutral venue,” it said.

“Due to the existing sanctions in place affecting DPR Korea, the AFC has been advised by its commercial rights partners of the challenges in enabling among other matters, the production and broadcast delivery of the final match,” it said, referring to international economic sanctions.

The World Cup 2022 qualifying game was played in front of an empty stadium and was not broadcast in South Korea despite requests from media and government to secure a live feed from Pyongyang’s Kim Il-sung Stadium.

The move to Shanghai ensures the game will be broadcast throughout the region.

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