SEOUL — The Korea Football Association (KFA) issued an apology on Saturday regarding allegations of providing sexual services to foreign referees. The statement followed a parliamentary hearing and an unprecedented search and seizure by Seoul police at the governing body's offices.

"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. "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. "Every member of the association will take the criticism directed at us from all quarters deeply to heart and use it as an opportunity for sweeping reform," the KFA said.

JTBC reported that the KFA provided sexual services to foreign referees on multiple occasions in 2011 and 2012. A 2016 investigation by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism found the association provided inappropriate entertainment to foreign referees on seven occasions between March 2011 and March 2012. The audit determined that corporate credit cards were used to pay for sexual entertainment at massage parlours and other adult establishments in Seoul and other cities.

The incidents involved referees and match coordinators from Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Bahrain, and Uzbekistan. Approximately twelve referees and match coordinators received the services during this period. The matches associated with the allegations included qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics. South Korea went undefeated in the seven contests linked to the allegations, recording five wins and two draws.

In February 2012, ahead of a decisive World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait, the association is alleged to have paid for two Japanese assistant referees to visit a massage parlor. Former KFA officials told JTBC that providing such services was common at the time and that some referees specifically requested visits to adult establishments. The 2016 audit findings were not made public at the time they were identified. Prostitution is prohibited in South Korea, and international football association bylaws prohibit any form of financial compensation for referees.

Scrutiny of the organization resurfaced after South Korea’s World Cup campaign ended in a group-stage exit. 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. Police seized documents during the raid to help determine whether there was improper meddling and obstruction by KFA leaders, including former chief Chung Mong-gyu, during the hiring process.

Hong Myung-bo returned as national team coach in 2024 after previously serving from 2013 to 2014. The KFA abandoned a months-long search involving foreign candidates and selected him following a brief meeting.

Why It Matters

The allegations involve violations of South Korean law prohibiting prostitution and international football bylaws barring financial compensation for referees. A 2016 audit confirming the use of corporate cards for such entertainment was not made public at the time, while current police seizures examine potential obstruction in leadership hiring. The KFA has pledged sweeping reform as scrutiny follows a World Cup group-stage exit.