A goalkeeper for the Myanmar soccer team, who raised a three-finger salute in protest at the military coup in his country during a World Cup qualifying match in Japan, said Thursday he has chosen not to return home and will apply for refugee status.
Pyae Lyan Aung, 27, told reporters at Kansai Airport in Osaka Prefecture that he has decided to stay in Japan as his "life would be at risk" if he returns home.
The player, who came on as a substitute in the May 28 game, was supposed to fly back home with his teammates on Wednesday night, but he told immigration authorities at the airport that he wanted to stay in Japan. He spoke to reporters in the early hours of Thursday.