The South Korea Football Association (KFA) has issued a formal apology addressing multiple controversies, including allegations that funds were improperly used to provide sexual entertainment for foreign referees in the early 2010s. The issue surfaced following the release of a 2016 government report, which was recently obtained and published by the news outlet JTBC.
According to the investigation, approximately 5.6 million won was charged to KFA credit cards for massage parlour services. The report indicates these expenses were deceptively logged as food or massage costs. The referees involved reportedly officiated qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup and 2012 Olympic Games, tournaments in which South Korea participated. The KFA maintains that such practices are no longer occurring.
The organization is currently embroiled in broader instability. Earlier this year, manager Hong Myung-bo and president Chung Mong-gyu stepped down following public outcry over the national team’s performance. Additionally, police recently searched the KFA offices as part of a probe into the procedures surrounding Hong’s hiring. Law enforcement officials have indicated they may evaluate the sexual favour allegations as part of an expanding inquiry. Amidst the chaos, former captain Park Ji-sung is leading an effort to reform the association, advocating for a significant expansion of the voter pool for upcoming presidential elections.
