A government audit report has revealed that the South Korea Football Association (KFA) provided sexual entertainment to foreign referees at massage parlors during the period of March 2011 to March 2012. The KFA allegedly used business credit cards to pay for these services in Seoul and other host cities.
According to the report, which was compiled in 2016, approximately twelve referees and match coordinators from Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Bahrain, and Uzbekistan received these services across seven international matches. These matches included qualifying games for the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 FIFA World Cup. During these seven matches, South Korea remained undefeated, with five wins and two draws. Notably, in two Olympic qualifying matches, South Korea defeated Oman 2-0 on September 21, 2011, and drew with Qatar 0-0 on March 14, 2012, although South Korea had already secured an Olympic spot before the latter match. South Korea also progressed to the next phase of World Cup qualification by beating Kuwait 2-0 on February 29, 2012. South Korea was considered the favorite in all three of these matches.
The audit report emerged amid an investigation into the KFA's appointment of former coach Hong Myung-bo in 2024. The report indicated that the KFA president at the time, Cho Chung-yun, was referred to police by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for alleged misuse of federation funds. Current and former KFA staff were also found to have used business credit cards at massage parlors and other establishments, though none were convicted or faced disciplinary action from the association.
Former KFA officials reportedly told local media that referees requested visits to such establishments and that accommodating these requests was considered a common practice at the time, extending beyond South Korea to other countries. A current KFA official stated that strict internal guidelines have since been implemented.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which compiled the report, stated that while it investigated claims of sexual entertainment being provided to referees, verifying all facts proved challenging. The KFA could potentially avoid FIFA sanctions due to the organization's Code of Ethics, which has a five-year statute of limitations for most cases, though bribery and corruption carry a 10-year limit. Cases involving sexual abuse, harassment, or exploitation have no time limit, but paying for sexual entertainment may not fall under these provisions.
The release of the report coincided with police raids on the KFA headquarters in Cheonan and the KFA House in Seoul. These raids were part of an inquiry into Hong Myung-bo's appointment, which drew criticism for its swiftness and alleged lack of thoroughness. Hong, who previously coached the national team from 2013 to 2014, returned to the position after a brief search that included foreign candidates. The investigation into his hiring process was prompted by South Korea's early exit from the FIFA World Cup campaign this year. Police seized documents during the raids that could shed light on potential improper influence or obstruction by KFA leaders, including former chief Chung Mong-gyu, in Hong's hiring. Both Hong and Chung resigned following the team's World Cup performance and testified before parliament last month regarding the team's performance and KFA operations.