LONDON (AP) — A South Korean soccer player who displayed his country's flag with a political slogan after a victory against Japan should be barred from Saturday's medal ceremony, the IOC told team officials.

The International Olympic Committee and soccer's governing body are reviewing evidence that the player displayed the flag with a slogan that supported sovereignty of disputed islands between South Korea and Japan.

South Korea defeated Japan 2-0 on Friday in the bronze-medal match, hours after President Lee Myung-bak visited the islets. The presidential visit prompted Tokyo to recall its ambassador from Seoul.

The match in Cardiff, Wales, was seen as potentially raising diplomatic tensions.

FIFA says it was "made aware of this incident" and its disciplinary panel chairman will study photos from the stadium. FIFA statutes prohibit political statements being made at its matches, and the IOC generally only allows official national flags to be displayed at events.

"We have also requested that the (South Korea Olympic Committee) takes swift action on this issue and that the athlete not be present at today's medal presentation ceremony," the IOC said.

"We have opened an inquiry and have asked ... for an explanation."