More N.Koreans fail tests

Two other North Korean women were provisionally suspended for failing tests earlier in the tournament which ends on Sunday when the United States meet Japan in the final in Frankfurt, Germany.

Under anti-doping regulations, the whole North Korea team were subject to doping tests after Jong Sun Song and Sim Pok Jong tested positive earlier. FIFA have not named the three latest players to fall foul of the inspectors.

North Korea were eliminated at the group stage after losing two and drawing one of their three matches without scoring.

In a statement, FIFA said: "Adverse analytical findings have been recorded in the anti-doping tests of three additional players from Korea DPR, following target testing of the whole team which participated in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.

"This target testing was conducted after previous anti-doping tests during the competition produced adverse analytical findings for two other Korea DPR players."

If two or more players fail doping tests in a tournament, the whole team is then required by FIFA to undergo tests.

"As the proceedings are still in progress, FIFA will not disclose the names of the three players whose test results have produced adverse analytical findings, in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code," FIFA added.

As well as the North Korean quintet, Colombia goalkeeper Yineth Varon was suspended after failing an out-of-competition test conducted in Leverkusen on June 25, the day before the tournament started.