South Korea FA apologises over historic allegations involving foreign referees

Posted : 12 August 2026

The Korea Football Association (KFA) has issued an apology following renewed scrutiny over allegations that association funds were used to provide sexual entertainment for foreign referees during international matches more than a decade ago. The claims emerged from a 2016 investigation by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which was only made public last week after being obtained by broadcaster JTBC.

According to the investigation reported by JTBC, KFA corporate credit cards were used for payments totalling about 5.6 million won (£2,927) at massage parlours. The spending allegedly occurred during the early 2010s when foreign officials were in South Korea to referee matches involving the national team.

Among the games linked to the allegations were qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup and the 2012 Olympic Games in London. South Korea successfully qualified for both competitions. The ministry's report reportedly found that KFA employees recorded the expenses under descriptions such as food, drinks or ordinary massages rather than disclosing the nature of the spending.

The allegations have added to the mounting pressure surrounding the KFA, which is already facing criticism over the state of South Korean football. In a statement, the association apologised for several controversies, including reports concerning incidents from more than a decade ago that it said many current employees had not known about.

The KFA stressed that such conduct and misuse of corporate cards is not happening within the organisation today. It also said it recognised the seriousness of the situation and needed to restore confidence among football supporters.

The controversy comes shortly after South Korean police raided KFA headquarters as part of an investigation into alleged obstruction of business connected to the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo. The 2024 appointment had attracted criticism over the process used to select him after a lengthy search involving several foreign candidates.

The latest allegations could potentially become part of the police investigation. South Korean media have reported that authorities are considering whether to examine the claims involving foreign referees, although there has been no indication that any referee was actually influenced by the alleged payments. The historical nature of the allegations also means that questions over applicable statutes of limitation could become important.

Japanese media have additionally reported that the Japan Football Association is looking into claims that some Japanese referees may have been involved. The KFA and JFA have been approached for comment.

The scandal follows a difficult period for the KFA after South Korea's disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign. Hong Myung-bo and KFA president Chung Mong-gyu both stepped down following intense criticism after the national team failed to progress from its group.

The national-team coaching position remains vacant. Meanwhile, former South Korea captain and Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung has been appointed to lead a government-backed football innovation committee and has called for changes to the KFA's electoral system. He has proposed expanding the voting pool from roughly 200 officials, club representatives, coaches and players to around 20,000 participants, including semi-professional players.

South Korea FA apologises over historic allegations involving foreign referees

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