South Korea are reportedly refusing to provide North Korea with TV coverage of the World Cup amid growing political tensions between the neighbouring countries.
In 2006 South Korea supplied coverage for free, but, following the sinking of a South Korean ship by a North Korean submarine, the South Koreans are demanding payment for any feed which the cash-strapped North refuses to pay.
“Talks have made little progress, especially after the sinking,” a spokesman for the South Korean broadcaster told AFP.” Now we cannot bring the talks to a conclusion in time for the cup.”
Relations have deteriorated to the extent that North Korean banned a FIFA translator from their camp when they discovered he was from the South.
