Korea Football Association Embroiled in Sex Scandal, Issues Apology
The Korea Football Association (KFA) has issued a public apology following a series of controversies, including allegations of unfair practices in the appointment of head coach Hong Myung-bo and claims that foreign referees were provided with sexual entertainment. Local media reported that the KFA had provided foreign referees with sexual entertainment in 2011 and 2012, citing findings from a 2016 government audit. The KFA has faced mounting criticism since South Korea’s disappointing World Cup campaign, with the team eliminated in the group stage despite entering the tournament with high expectations.
The controversy deepened after Hong’s resignation as head coach, which did little to ease public anger. Instead, it intensified scrutiny over his appointment, which had already raised questions about the KFA‘s hiring process. The Japan Football Association (JFA) has launched an investigation into allegations that four referees were provided with “sexual services” by the KFA. The JFA is committed to making the findings of its investigation public once the probe is completed.
Police raided the KFA headquarters as part of an investigation into the appointment of Hong, and lawmakers summoned Hong and current and former KFA officials to a parliamentary hearing. The KFA has admitted that it had “lost sight of our fundamental role” and apologized for the “deep disappointment and concern caused by the various controversies surrounding the association”. The apology came after a 2016 government audit found that the KFA had provided “inappropriate hospitality” on eight occasions to foreign referees and officials.
The KFA’s apology has sparked a fresh wave of anger, with social media users circulating lists of foreign referees who officiated South Korea matches during the period in question. The association has stopped short of denying the allegations but said that such improper conduct is no longer taking place.
This scandal is connected to South Korea’s earlier World Cup exit, which sparked a national crisis and led to widespread criticism of the KFA and its leadership.
