North Korea Is Barred From Olympic Soccer

FIFA, the international soccer federation, formally barred North Korea from the soccer tournament for the 1988 Olympics Friday and imposed financial sanctions after the North Koreans failed to appear for a qualifying round.

North Korea refused to play, claiming it should automatically enter the final round as a co-host of the Games, which have been awarded to Seoul, capital of South Korea.

North Korea has demanded to stage part of the Games, but the International Olympic Committee has not ruled on the matter after a South Korean offer to turn over some events to the North.