MIDDLESBROUGH striker Dong-Gook Lee has been banned from playing for his country for one year after breaking a team curfew in the summer.

As revealed in The Northern Echo on Thursday, the South Korean has been at the centre of a scandal in his homeland.

Lee and fellow internationals Kim Sang-Sik and Woo Sung-Yong have also been barred from Korean Football Association events for two years.

The punishment has arrived after it emerged the three men - and goalkeeper Lee Woon-Jae - visited a bar on the night just hours after losing to Bahrain on July 15.

Lee is hoping to be involved in the Boro team that faces Tottenham at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.