Sepp Blatter has confirmed FIFA are looking into claims of mistreatment of North Korea's players and coach. Widespread reports this month claimed Kim Jong-Hun was sentenced to hard labour and his squad were subjected to a six-hour interrogation by government officials following a World Cup campaign which ended with three straight defeats.

Blatter revealed FIFA had contacted the new president of the North Korean football association and were looking into the matter.

"(We contacted them) to tell us about the election of a new president, and if it is true, the allegations made by the media that the coach and some players have been condemned or punished," he said.

"The first step is the federation and we'll see what the answer will be, and then we can elaborate on that."

FIFA take a dim view of government interference in footballing matters and have often in the past suspended affected federations.