The group was accused of funding trips to massage parlours for foreign referees
\n Seoul
\nSouth Korea\u2019s national football association has issued a public apology following explosive media allegations that it provided \u201csexual services\u201d to foreign referees over a decade ago.
\nThe claims surfaced after a report by South Korean broadcaster JTBC on Thursday.
\nThe report alleged that the Korea Football Association (KFA) offered such services to international referees on multiple occasions in 2011 and 2012.
\nThis period included qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics held in the country.
\nResponding to the allegations, the KFA said: \u201cWe 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.\u201d
\nJTBC\u2019s report cited a 2016 sports ministry investigation, which reportedly found that the KFA had provided \u201cinappropriate entertainment\u201d to foreign referees seven times between March 2011 and March 2012.
\nThis included trips to massage parlours where the fees covered the costs of sexual services.
\nThe KFA has not yet responded to requests for further comment or details regarding the allegations.
\n\u201cThe association makes clear that inappropriate conduct of this kind, or the use of corporate cards for such purposes, is absolutely not currently taking place,\u201d the KFA said in its statement.
\nThe allegations add to scrutiny of the association over a separate issue, involving the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo.
\nSeoul police raided the KFA\u2019s offices on Thursday as part of an investigation related to Hong\u2019s appointment, police said.
\nHong 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.
\nThe controversy resurfaced after South Korea\u2019s disappointing World Cup campaign ended in a group-stage exit.
\nSouth Korea were eliminated early from the competition after failing to build on the strong start that saw them come from behind to beat Czech Republic, subsequently losing their next two Group A matches to South Africa and Mexico.
\nThe result was met with brutal condemnation from the country\u2019s president and Hong resigned from his post in national disgrace.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The group was accused of funding trips to massage parlours for foreign referees Seoul South Korea\u2019s national football association has issued a public apology following explosive media allegations that it provided \u201csexual services\u201d to foreign referees over a decade ago. The claims surfaced after a report by South Korean broadcaster JTBC on Thursday. The report […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":560993,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-560985","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n