The Korea Football Association (KFA) issued a public apology on August 8, 2026, following media reports that the organization provided sexual services
to foreign referees during international matches held in South Korea between 2011 and 2012.
The admission comes as the KFA faces a wave of administrative scandals and government scrutiny following a disappointing World Cup campaign that ended in a group-stage exit. The association described its current state as tragic, acknowledging that it has failed in its duty to bring joy to football fans.
Allegations of Sexual Services for Foreign Officials
The controversy erupted after broadcaster JTBC reported that the KFA provided inappropriate entertainment to foreign referees and match supervisors on multiple occasions. These incidents occurred during friendly matches and qualifying rounds for the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 World Cup.
According to a 2016 sports ministry investigation cited by JTBC, the KFA provided such entertainment on seven occasions between March 2011 and March 2012. This included trips to massage parlors where the fees paid by the association covered the cost of sexual services.
The KFA has since emphasized that such conduct is not happening now, stating that the use of corporate cards for these purposes is absolutely not taking place in the current era.
Police Raids and the Hong Myung-bo Appointment
The sexual services scandal is not the only legal pressure facing the KFA. On August 7, Seoul police raided the association’s offices as part of an investigation into the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo.
Hong, who previously coached the team from 2013 to 2014, returned to the role in 2024. His appointment sparked intense scrutiny after the KFA abruptly abandoned a months-long search for foreign candidates, opting instead to select Hong after a brief meeting.
This administrative turmoil led to a parliamentary hearing on July 30, where officials criticized the KFA’s internal management. In response, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has led the creation of the UDN to redraw the development blueprint for South Korean football.
KFA Reform and Organizational Transparency
To salvage its image, the KFA has committed to a thorough overhaul of its organizational culture. The association aims to increase transparency and raise ethical standards as it prepares for upcoming competitions, including the Asian Cup and various international matches in the latter half of the year.
Specific policy reforms being pushed include the expansion of the presidential electoral college. The association expressed hope that the efforts and achievements of the national team players, who represent the country under the Taegeukgi flag, would not be diminished or misunderstood because of these institutional failings.
Wider Refereeing Controversies and Integrity Claims
Keith Hackett, former head of PGMOL, strongly disputed claims that games are being fixed at the World Cup level or any other level of the game, asserting that there are sufficient checks, balances, and a filtering system in place to prevent this from happening.
The KFA now remains under the watch of the K-Football Innovation Committee and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as they attempt to implement their promised transparency reforms.
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