Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Fan in Critical Condition (Korean fan torches himself to become "phantom 12th player")
ESPN ^ | 6/18/02 | AP

Posted on 06/18/2002 10:35:37 AM PDT by Aquinasfan

SEOUL, South Korea -- A man who said he wanted to help South Korea's soccer team by becoming a phantom 12th player set himself on fire Friday.

The 39-year-old man was in critical condition, hospital officials said.

Hours before South Korea's 1-0 World Cup win against Portugal, the man lit a candle and bowed several times toward the sea in the southeastern city of Busan. He then poured paint thinner over his body and set himself on fire.

Police said he left a note saying, "The sweat and tears of Coach Guus Hiddink and his players were the biggest birthday gift ever given to me. But we now have to overcome South American and European teams, and I am driven to take this road by impetuosity.

"I will become the 12th soccer player by becoming a spirit and will run for the victory of the Korean team," the note said, adding Korean soccer fans' customary cheer: "Fighting Korea!"

The man was dressed in red, the national soccer team's color.

Police in Bangkok say a man killed his wife in a fight over a remote control and a soccer game.

The suspect says the couple had been fighting because his wife kept nagging him about how lazy he'd become since the World Cup competition began.

He told police his wife upset him when she snatched the remote control from him -- and then switched to a soap opera in the middle of a match.

The fighting eased after a visit to the police station.

But authorities say the suspect lost his temper later and shot his wife.


TOPICS: Sports; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: korea; soccerfan

1 posted on 06/18/2002 10:35:38 AM PDT by Aquinasfan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Aquinasfan
Burning out the day,
Burning out the night,
I can't see no reason to put up a fight.
I'm living for giving the Devil his due.

And I'm burning, I'm burning, I'm burning for you.

2 posted on 06/18/2002 10:39:35 AM PDT by Dales
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Aquinasfan
I don't get it. Soccer is becoming a religion to many people. It's amazing, but NFL football is much more civilized. The fans don't kill each other. As much as I supported the Dallas Cowboys, I'd never have murdered an obnoxiou Pittsburg Steeler fan when they were in town. And those towel-swinging rastards are obnoxious but we still didn't kill 'em. They were irritating......very irritating........:)
3 posted on 06/18/2002 11:03:43 AM PDT by xJones
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: xJones
I don't get it. Soccer is becoming a religion to many people.

It has been for a while. I remember reading years ago that there was a dry moat built around the field in a 120,000 seat Brazilian stadium to protect the referee (and players). Then you have all the fights between the "supporters" in Europe. Nothing in the US compares. And that's saying something.

4 posted on 06/18/2002 11:12:06 AM PDT by Aquinasfan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: xJones
No worries, we here in Pittsburgh feel the same about Dallas fans, no matter where you happen to be..

;)

5 posted on 06/18/2002 12:40:44 PM PDT by Michael Barnes
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson