N. Korea 'roid rave

The North Korean government came up with an electrifying excuse for five soccer gals caught doping -- blaming an obscure Chinese remedy to treat lightning strikes.

FIFA chief Sepp Blatter said yesterday that after players Song Jong-Sun and Jong Pok-Sim tested positive for steroids earlier in the Women's World Cup, testing of the entire squad came up with three more offenders, whose names weren't released.

The North Koreans bizarrely claim steroids were accidentally taken with traditional Chinese medicines -- and used to treat players who were struck by lighting at a training camp on June 8.

Last month, North Korean coach Kim Kwang Min blamed the loss against the United States on players still suffering ill effects of the strike.