Why This Topic Landed in Japan

Reports circulated that South Korea's men's football team, which won bronze at the 2012 London Olympics, could have its medal stripped — tied to a sex-bribery scandal at the Korea Football Association, with claims the IOC would act "regardless of the statute of limitations." Much of the interest centered on whether Japan's under-23 team, which lost the bronze-medal match, would be bumped up.

As of now the matter is at the reporting stage: no formal decision to strip the medal has been announced by the IOC or FIFA, and the sex-bribery allegation itself is still unproven. What drove the buzz in Japan was accumulated distrust of Korean sport — reviving suspicions about 2002 World Cup refereeing — plus hope for a Japanese bump-up and the ongoing scandal story.

Key Reaction Themes

  • Hopes of a Japanese bump-up — Reactions to Japan possibly moving up to bronze if the medal is reassigned.
  • Reviving old grievances — Recalling refereeing suspicions from the 2002 World Cup and other past tournaments.
  • Cool heads before any ruling — "This kind of thing rarely actually happens," and reminders not to confuse an allegation with a decision.

What Japanese Netizens Are Saying

Reports of South Korea's London 2012 bronze being stripped

The possibility of IOC action tied to a sex-bribery scandal, and reactions to a potential Japanese bump-up.

Sources: Yahoo! news, 2ch, Tokyo sports

Comments:

  • "If they can do this, strip the 2002 World Cup results too."
  • "Congrats to Japan on the bronze."
  • "FIFA has a statute of limitations, so even if 2002 fraud came to light there'd be no penalty."
  • "Channeling the anger over how weak the team was into this — impressive, actually."
  • "This kind of thing basically never gets carried out."
  • "It's embarrassing for Japan to move up. Why does Japan get dragged in at a time like this?"
  • "But Japanese referees were on the receiving end of that entertainment too, you know."
  • "I doubt they'd rig even the Olympics, given how strict it is on doping and bribery."
  • "So South Korea actually won a medal at the London Olympics, huh."
  • "FIFA's statute of limitations is about 10 years, so South Korea's 2002 semifinal is safe. Sure, 2002 Korea was strong on merit — but Japan reaching the round of 16 while weak is more suspicious."