South Korean football association apologises over sexual services for foreign referees

Allegations surface

South Korean broadcaster JTBC reported on Thursday that the Korea Football Association (KFA) provided sexual services to foreign referees on seven occasions between March 2011 and March 2012, during qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics. The report cited a 2016 sports ministry investigation that documented the payments through corporate credit card records and government audit materials. On 29 February 2012, hours before a match against Kuwait, 500,000 won (approximately $350) was charged at a massage parlour in Yeoksam-dong. A similar transaction of 760,000 won was recorded in Changwon shortly after a match against Oman. The Italian report described the case as demonstrating how deeply corrupt the federation was in those years.

An employee of the refereeing office confirmed the practice, telling JTBC that the cost of the massage included the sexual service. The employee said foreign referees had requested this type of entertainment at locations including airports and their accommodations. The transactions involved not only referees but also supervisors, who were theoretically responsible for monitoring referee conduct.

KFA response

The KFA issued a statement on Saturday apologising for the controversy, which emerged from a parliamentary hearing and a search-and-seizure operation.

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 also stated that inappropriate conduct of this kind, or the use of corporate cards for such purposes, is absolutely not currently taking place. In a separate written statement reported by German media, the KFA acknowledged it had been in a "desolate situation" and said it would use public criticism as an opportunity for a "fundamental renewal."

Separate investigation into coaching appointment

Police raided the KFA's offices on Thursday as part of an investigation related to the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo. Hong, 57, 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. The controversy resurfaced after South Korea's disappointing World Cup campaign ended in a group-stage exit at this year's tournament in the Americas.

Hong resigned from his post shortly after the early elimination. He was held responsible by the public for the performance of the "Red Devils," as the national team is known, who exited in the group stage following a disappointing showing.

Questions over match integrity

South Korea won the February 2012 qualifying match against Kuwait 2-0 and advanced to the next qualification round. Two Japanese referee assistants were among those taken to the massage parlour before that match, according to the Tagesspiegel report. Whether the referees were influenced to make one-sided decisions in matches involving the South Korean national team has not been proven. The KFA emphasised in its apology that the events date back more than ten years and that many association members were not aware of the details.