South Korea’s football association has issued a formal apology following a report by the nation’s culture, sport and tourism ministry detailing allegations of payments made for sexual favors to foreign referees during the early 2010s. The ministry’s 2016 report, obtained by South Korean media organization JTBC, uncovered a significant financial scandal involving a total of 5.6 million won (£2,927) in payments to referees visiting the country to officiate matches in the nation’s football leagues. The investigation, initiated in response to a leaked document from over a decade ago, revealed that KFA staff reported these expenses under false pretenses, claiming they were intended for food and drink or massages. The ministry stated that an official at the KFA reported the practice as common back then, though it was revealed that many of the staff members were unaware of the extent of the payments.
The report detailed that referees were tasked with qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2012 Olympic Games in London, a significant portion of which involved international officiating. The ministry concluded that KFA staff had falsified records, claiming the money was used for these purposes. The report, published last week, detailed the financial transactions, including the use of Korea Football Association (KFA) credit cards. The KFA has now released a statement acknowledging the disappointment and concern caused by the controversies, offering a range of reasons for the apology, including the team’s poor performance at the 2026 World Cup. Manager Hong Myung-bo and KFA president Chung Mong-gyu both resigned from their positions following public anger over South Korea’s performance at the World Cup, where they did not make it out of a group featuring Mexico, the Czech Republic, and South Africa.
Furthermore, the police has launched a formal investigation into the alleged obstruction of business concerning Hong Myung-bo’s appointment as manager, stemming from concerns about his return in 2024 following a previous spell between 2013 and 2014. The investigation, as reported by Korean media, could be expanded to include allegations of sexual favors, with an official stating that a review is underway. The KFA’s headquarters were raided by police in July, following a report of an alleged ‘obstruction of business’ concerning Hong’s appointment. A BBC Sport report confirms that the KFA’s presidential elections are scheduled to take place before the end of the year, with Park Ji-sung, a former national team captain and Manchester United midfielder, being appointed as the new head coach. The government is considering expanding the electorate from around 200 officials, club representatives, coaches and players to around 20,000, including semi-professionals, to address the concerns. The investigation has also received attention from Japanese media, which claims the country’s football association is investigating claims that some of its referees were involved in the scandal.”
[Image source: Getty Images]
[Image caption: Hong Myung-bo (pictured) and Chung Mong-gyu were grilled at a parliamentary hearing in July]
[Data point: The KFA’s headquarters were raided by police as part of an investigation into an alleged ‘obstruction of business’ concerning Hong’s appointment as manager.]
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