Korean Football Association Issues Public Apology Amid Referee Misconduct and Appointment Scandals

The Korean Football Association (KFA), the governing body of soccer in South Korea, has issued a public apology for "various controversies", including an allegation that payments were made for sexual favours for foreign referees.

South Korean broadcaster JTBC reported last Thursday, local time, that the KFA had provided such services to foreign referees on multiple occasions in 2011 and 2012, including when the referees 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 included the costs of sexual services.

South Korea qualified for the 2012 Olympic Games and the 2014 World Cup.

On social media, the KFA issued a public apology for several controversies, including the team's poor results at this year's World Cup and "media reports regarding events from over a decade ago that even many of our own staff members were unaware of".

"However, we wish to clearly state that such inappropriate conduct or misuse of corporate cards is absolutely not occurring at the association at present," the KFA said, as reported by BBC.

"Our association, which ought to bring joy and exhilaration to football fans through the fierce pursuit of goals and the fair sportsmanship that emerges in the process, has recently lost sight of its fundamental purpose and finds itself in a truly dire situation."

The allegations add to scrutiny of the association over a separate issue involving the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo.

Hong and KFA president Chung Mong-gyu both resigned following the World Cup.

Seoul police raided the KFA's offices on Thursday as part of an investigation related to Hong's appointment, police told Reuters.

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.

The controversy resurfaced after South Korea's disappointing World Cup campaign ended in a group-stage exit.