DONG-GOOK LEE has been banned from playing for his country for a year, a decision that could have huge consequences for his Middlesbrough career.

The Korean Football Association have ruled that the Boro striker can't play for South Korea for 12 months after his offthe- field indiscretion during the summer's Asia Cup.

Such a punishment means Lee will be unable to play in the required 70 per cent of the previous two years internationals for a non-EU member when he has to re-apply at the end of his current contract in July.

And, as he also seems certain to fail on the grounds of his appearances for Middlesbrough at this stage, it is likely to mean Lee will depart just 18 months after moving to Teesside from Pohang Steelers.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate, meanwhile, did not want to say too much on the situation until he has had the chance to sit down with Lee to discuss the matter.

"The first I knew about it was Thursday morning and I don't know all the ins and outs of it,"

said Southgate. "I'm sure it's big news over there in South Korea.

I'll have a chat with him to make sure he is OK."

Lee was hit with the hefty suspension by the KFA yesterday, when they were forced to act following an outcry across South Korea.

The country's superstar broke a team curfew during July's Asia Cup in Indonesia, when he visited a bar just hours after they had lost 2-1 to Bahrain in a group stage match.

Northern Echo Sport revealed on Thursday morning that a sizeable suspension was on the cards for Lee and the three teammates he was with - Kim Sang- Sik, Woo Sung-Yong and Lee Woon-Jae.

Lee Dong-Gook is not allowed to play in KFA-run events for two years, which will also impact heavily on his career if he was forced to look for new employers at the end of his Middlesbrough contract.