Get you up to speed: South Korea FA apologises over ‘sexual services’ allegations
South Korea’s national football association, the Korea Football Association (KFA), has issued an apology following allegations reported by JTBC that it provided “sexual services” to foreign referees during international matches in 2011 and 2012. In a related development, Seoul police raided the KFA’s offices on Thursday as part of an investigation into the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) acknowledged that a 2016 sports ministry investigation identified seven instances of providing inappropriate entertainment to foreign referees between March 2011 and March 2012. Concurrently, Seoul police are conducting a separate investigation into the recent appointment of national team coach Hong Myung-bo, with KFA offices having been raided for this purpose.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) issued a statement apologising for the allegations regarding the provision of “sexual services” to foreign referees, addressing concerns raised from a parliamentary hearing and media reports. Following a police raid of its offices as part of an investigation into the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo, the KFA clarified that such practices are “absolutely not currently taking place.”
What remains unclear — It is not clear how many foreign referees were allegedly involved in the inappropriate entertainment provided by the KFA.
South Korea football association apologises over allegations of sexual services to referees
Sport|FootballSouth Korea FA apologises over ‘sexual services’ allegations
South Korea football association apologises over allegations relating to qualifiers for World Cup 2014 and the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Published On 8 Aug 20268 Aug 2026
South Korea’s national football association has apologised after a media report alleged it had provided “sexual services” to foreign referees when they were in the country for international matches more than a decade ago.
South Korean broadcaster JTBC reported on Thursday that the Korea Football Association (KFA) had provided such services to foreign referees on multiple occasions in 2011 and 2012, including when they were in the country for qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics.
“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 KFA said in a statement on Saturday.
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 had included the costs of sexual services.
The KFA did not immediately respond to an email seeking further comment and details.
“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,” the KFA said in its statement.
The allegations add to scrutiny of the association over a separate issue involving the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo.
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.
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