South Korean football association apologises over sexual services provided to foreign referees

KFA apology and the JTBC report

The Korea Football Association (KFA) issued a public apology on Saturday, August 8, 2026, after South Korean broadcaster JTBC reported on Thursday that the association had provided "sexual services" to foreign referees visiting the country for international matches more than a decade ago. The report 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 during qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics. The services were paid for using corporate credit cards at massage parlours and other adult establishments in Seoul and other cities hosting international matches. The KFA acknowledged in its statement that it had recently been in a "desolate situation," according to N-tv.

Specific transactions

According to Il Messaggero, citing documents from the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism, 500,000 won (approximately $350) was charged on February 29, 2012, hours before a match against Kuwait, at a facility in Yeoksam-dong. A further 760,000 won was spent at Changwon shortly after a match against Oman. An employee of the refereeing office confirmed that the cost of the massage included the sexual service, stating that foreign referees had requested such entertainment at locations including airports and their lodgings. The transactions involved both referees and supervisors, who are theoretically responsible for monitoring referee conduct. The 2012 London Olympics football tournament was subsequently closed with South Korea earning a bronze medal.

KFA response

The KFA stated that inappropriate conduct of this kind, or the use of corporate cards for such purposes, is "absolutely not currently taking place." The association said it would take criticism from all sides seriously and use it as an opportunity for in-depth reform. Prostitution is illegal in South Korea, and international football federation statutes prohibit any form of financial compensation to referees.

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.

Hong Myung-bo appointment investigation

The allegations add to scrutiny of the KFA over a separate issue involving the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo. Seoul police raided the KFA's offices on Thursday, seizing documents to determine whether there was undue interference or obstruction by KFA officials, including former president Chung Mong-gyu, during the hiring process. Hong returned as national team coach in 2024 after a previous spell 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.

World Cup fallout

The controversy resurfaced after South Korea's disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign ended in a group-stage exit. South Korea came from behind to beat Czech Republic in their opening Group A match but subsequently lost their next two matches to South Africa and Mexico. President Lee Jae-myung criticized Hong's appointment as an example of cronyism. Hong resigned from his post and had received death threats following the elimination. During a parliamentary hearing the previous week, Hong offered his apologies for the failed World Cup campaign.