The Korea Football Association issued a public apology after a leaked government report alleged the organization spent thousands of dollars on sexual services for foreign referees. The report by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism was first completed in 2016 following a corruption investigation into the country's soccer governing body. However, details only emerged last week after South Korean broadcaster and CNN affiliate JTBC obtained the document.
CNN later obtained the audit from the office of South Korean lawmaker Jin Sun-mi. The document showed that the Korea Football Association paid for sexual entertainment at massage parlors on at least eight occasions between 2011 and 2012. The services were provided to foreign referees and visiting football officials, with three of the affected matches being qualifiers for the World Cup and the Olympic Games.
In a statement published on its website on Saturday, August 8, the Korea Football Association apologized deeply for the concern caused by parliamentary hearings, search and seizure operations, and media reports regarding events from more than a decade ago. The association stated that many of its current members were unaware of the past events. It added that such improper conduct and misuse of corporate credit cards does not occur today.
Government Audit Details Specific Incidents
The government report detailed multiple specific trips to massage parlors following international matches. On September 21, 2011, South Korea played Oman in a qualifier for the London 2012 Olympic Games. In the early morning hours of September 22, four referees who officiated the match were taken to a massage parlor by association staff, who spent 760,000 South Korean won. Association employees later lied on expense reports by claiming the money was spent on post-match drinks.
Similar excursions took place on February 29, 2012, before South Korea played Kuwait in a qualifier for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Another trip was arranged for a referee evaluator on March 14, 2012, while South Korea played Qatar in an Olympic qualifier. In total, the association spent nearly 5.6 million South Korean won on sexual entertainment over a one-year period, with staff submitting false expense reports attributing the charges to meals, drinks, or regular massages.
The report also stated that the association paid for sexual services for three Chinese Football Association officials visiting South Korea under a referee exchange program. CNN contacted the Chinese Football Association for comment. While the government report did not specify the nationalities of other referees involved, Japanese media reported that the Japan Football Association is investigating whether four Japanese referees were involved. The Japan Football Association confirmed to CNN that it is currently investigating the matter.
Investigations and Reforms at the Association
South Korean government investigators concluded that the issue was institutional, driven primarily by one employee but carried out with organizational approval. Auditors examined credit card records and interviewed staff members, who stated that spending at massage parlors included payments for sexual services and claimed the services were requested by foreign referees. Despite credit card records, the Prosecutors' Office concluded in December 2017 that there was insufficient evidence and dropped the case.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism told CNN on Monday that it has referred the case for further investigation and ordered the Korea Football Association to take action. The ministry stated that it is monitoring the situation closely due to its seriousness, even though the events took place a decade ago. The association told JTBC that it introduced a clean card system in 2013 that blocks corporate credit cards from being used at massage parlors or karaoke bars.
The association also informed JTBC that it now hires separate liaison agents to assist referees rather than using its own staff. While transportation, lodging, and meals are provided, gifts to referees are restricted to souvenirs such as red ginseng. CNN reached out to the Korea Football Association for additional comment.
Scrutiny Following World Cup Elimination
The revelations come while the Korea Football Association faces mounting public scrutiny and anger over recent management decisions. Public outrage had already grown over the national team's disappointing performance at the 2026 World Cup and a lack of transparency when appointing the former national team coach. Following South Korea's elimination in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung demanded an official investigation into the association, and the national team coach resigned.
