FIFA has reduced its ban on ex-Vice President Chung Mong-joon from six to five years.The world's football governing body announced the decision in Zurich, Switzerland, on Tuesday (local time) following a meeting of its appeals committee.Last year, Chung, who was a FIFA vice president from 1994 to 2011, was found guilty of infringing FIFA's code of conduct during South Korea's bidding process for hosting the 2022 World Cup, which was eventually awarded to Qatar in 2010. The ban imposed by the adj

Kang Jung-ho, Korean infielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, is being investigated over a sexual assault allegation that emerged in Chicago, a U.S. newspaper said.Citing a police spokesman, the Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday (local time) that Kang faces the probe over an incident that allegedly took place when the Pirates were visiting the Chicago Cubs last month. Kang hasn't been charged with a crime.The Pirates said they are aware of the allegation and vowed full cooperation with the authoriti

Competing in an Olympics is considered a great honor for athletes, and for two South Korean veterans this year's Rio de Janeiro Summer Games will hold even greater significance.Female weightlifter Yoon Jin-hee and male gymnast Yoo Won-chul will both be returning to the Olympic stage after an eight-year absence. Yoon won silver in the 58kg division at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and retired from international competition in 2012. But she started lifting again in late 2014.Yoo, a 2008 Olympic silver

The Olympic clock is ticking down on the injured Korean gymnast Yang Hak-seon, but the national team head coach on Tuesday said he hasn't received an update on the athlete's status.Yoon Chang-sun, who will lead the South Korean team to the Aug. 5-21 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, said he isn't sure how far Yang has come along in his rehab from a torn Achilles tendon in his right foot. (Yonhap)On Monday, the Korea Gymnastics Association said it will give Yang, the 2012 Olympic vault gold medalist, a se

The Korean women's pro basketball league said Tuesday it will mete out a lifetime ban to an American player who is suspected of forging documents. The Women's Korean Basketball League Commissioner Shin Sun-woo told reporters after its board meeting that Chelsey Lee will be suspended for life and her records in the league will be annulled. Lee's two agents, who are accused of forging Lee and her father's birth certificates last year, will also face indefinite suspensions, he added.Local prosecuto

With the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Games about a month away, Korean athletes and sports officials said Tuesday they are determined to carry on a strong Olympic tradition.The countdown to the first Olympics in South America will reach 30 days Wednesday, and the pre-Olympic media day at the National Training Center in Seoul on Tuesday provided an opportunity for the delegation leaders and medal hopefuls to discuss their goals.Kim Jung-haeng, co-president of the Korean Olympic Committee, said Kore

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin will return to the big leagues this week after recovering from shoulder surgery, his manager announced Monday.Before the Dodgers opened a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles at Dodger Stadium, Dave Roberts told reporters the South Korean left-hander will start against the San Diego Padres at home Thursday.It will be a 7:10 p.m. start local time. That's 11:10 a.m. Friday in Korea.Ryu went under the knife to repair a torn labrum in his pitching

A Korean baseball club was fined Monday following a positive drug test by its former player.The Korea Baseball Organization fined the Lotte Giants 10 million won (US$8,730) for their inadequate player management, after outfielder Jim Adduci flunked a doping test. (Yonhap)Adduci, a one-time Texas Ranger, was suspended by the Korea Anti-Doping Agency for 36 games last Friday after testing positive for oxycodone, a synthetic opiate. The Giants promptly waived him.Adduci told the KADA in an earlier

An Ironman triathlon is set to take place in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province, on Aug. 14. The Ironman 70.3 Chungju includes a 1.9-kilometer swimming course, 90.1-kilometer cycling course and 21.1-kilometer running course, all which must be finished within 8 hours and 30 minutes.  Those who finish in the top 30 at Chungju will be given the chance to compete in the 2017 Ironman 70.3 World Championship.At the Chungju contest, contestants will be able to enjoy the many historical sites in the ci

Injured Korean gymnast Yang Hak-seon has been given a second chance to qualify for this year's Summer Olympics, though it remains doubtful he'll be able to capitalize on it.The Korea Gymnastics Association said it will hold three additional rounds of national team trials this month. The first one is scheduled for Saturday, followed by two more on July 13 and 16. (Yonhap)Yang, the 2012 Olympic vault champion, missed the first two rounds of Olympic trials in April and May after rupturing his right

The national Olympic body will "take swift action" once the world's top sports tribunal rules on the status of the banned swimmer Park Tae-hwan, its official said Monday.Cho Young-ho, secretary general of the Korean Olympic Committee, said the KOC "doesn't intend to resort to time-delaying tactics" once the Court of Arbitration for Sport announces its decision. (Yonhap)Park, the 2008 Olympic 400m freestyle champion, has filed an appeal at the CAS over a KOC rule that bars athletes from represent