South Korea's national football association apologised on Saturday after a media report alleged it had provided 'sexual services' to foreign referees when they were in the country for international matches more than a decade ago.
South Korean broadcaster JTBC reported on Thursday that the Korea Football Association (KFA) had provided such services to foreign referees on multiple occasions in 2011 and 2012, including when they were in the country for qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics. In its news report, JTBC cited a 2016 sports ministry investigation that found the KFA had provided inappropriate entertainment to foreign referees on seven occasions between March 2011 and March 2012, including trips to massage parlours where the fees had included the costs of sexual services. The allegations date back more than a decade ago with referees offered services on multiple occasions in 2011 and 2012. It is alleged that further indiscretions occurred prior to qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics.
In a statement, the KFA profusely apologised for the details of the report. It read: “We deeply apologise for causing concern over various issues involving the association, which emerged from a parliamentary hearing and an unprecedented search and seizure, and from reports about events from more than a decade ago, that even many within the organisation were unaware of.' 'The association makes clear that inappropriate conduct of this kind, or the use of corporate cards for such purposes, is absolutely not currently taking place,' the KFA said in its statement.
Seoul police raided the KFA's offices on Thursday as part of an investigation related to Hong's appointment, police told Reuters. The allegations add to scrutiny of the association over a separate issue, involving the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo. Hong returned as national team coach in 2024 after a previous spell in charge from 2013 to 2014. His appointment drew scrutiny after the KFA abandoned a months-long search involving foreign candidates and selected Hong following a brief meeting.
“When I received the offer, I thought they had all taken the proper steps,” Hong said at the parliamentary hearing. “People may think things were not so transparent, but I never once asked for any special treatment.”
The controversy resurfaced after South Korea's disappointing World Cup campaign ended in a group-stage exit. The result was met with brutal condemnation from the country’s president and Hong resigned from his post in national disgrace.
Reporting: talkSPORT, Daily Mail, The Independent.