South Korea FA apologises over ‘sexual services’ allegations

South Korea's national football association has issued a public apology following media reports alleging it provided "sexual services" to foreign referees over a decade ago. The allegations, reported by broadcaster JTBC, claim these services were offered on multiple occasions in 2011 and 2012, including during qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics.

The Korea Football Association (KFA) acknowledged the concerns raised by a parliamentary hearing, an unprecedented search and seizure, and the recent media reports. "We deeply apologize for causing concern over various issues involving the association... that even many within the organisation were unaware of," the KFA stated. The association emphasized that such inappropriate conduct, including the use of corporate cards for such purposes, is "absolutely not currently taking place."

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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

JTBC's report referenced a 2016 sports ministry investigation that reportedly found the KFA had provided inappropriate entertainment to foreign referees on seven occasions between March 2011 and March 2012. These instances allegedly included visits to massage parlors where the fees incorporated the costs of sexual services.

Separately, the KFA is facing scrutiny over the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo. Seoul police raided the KFA's offices as part of an investigation related to Hong's hiring. Hong returned as coach in 2024 after a previous tenure from 2013 to 2014, and his selection drew criticism after the KFA abandoned a lengthy search for foreign candidates in favor of Hong following a brief meeting. This controversy resurfaced following South Korea's early exit from the World Cup.

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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