Park Jong-woo

FIFA has again postponed s decision on Korean footballer Park Jong-woo's hoisting of a picket saying "Dokdo Is Our Land" after the bronze-medal match against Japan at the London Olympics.

The Korean Football Association on Thursday said FIFA informed it that more time is needed in investigating. FIFA also told the KFA to submit more materials related to the case by Oct. 27 if it needs to.

A meeting of the FIFA disciplinary committee on Oct. 5 failed to determine whether Park violated IOC regulations, which prohibit political, religious or racial statements by athletes and players.

"Since the case is unprecedented, it appears that FIFA is handling the matter cautiously," a KFA official said.

The International Olympic Committee is waiting for FIFA's decision before discussing whether to award Park the bronze medal. Park could appeal if FIFA slaps him with a minimum three-game suspension or W17 million fine (US$1=W1,104).

The Korean Olympic Committee says the midfielder did not intend to hoist the sign supporting Korea's sovereignty over the islets in advance but was handed it by a spectator after the match. Park was denied the bronze medal awarded to the Korean team when the IOC asked the KOC to keep Park away from the awards ceremony.