South Korea's football federation provided sexual entertainment to foreign referees at massage parlours before and after international matches, according to a government audit report. The Korea Football Association (KFA) used business credit cards to pay for the services in Seoul and other host cities between March 2011 and March 2012.
The favours were given to around twelve referees and match coordinators across seven matches, according to the report compiled in 2016 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The visiting officials came from Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Bahrain and Uzbekistan.
South Korea's news outlet Yonhap News Agency reported that South Korea remained undefeated in the seven matches, recording five wins and two draws. The games included qualifying matches for the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
In two Olympic qualifying matches, South Korea defeated Oman 2-0 on September 21, 2011, and drew 0-0 against Qatar on March 14, 2012. South Korea had already secured an Olympic spot before the Qatar match. In World Cup qualification, South Korea beat Kuwait 2-0 on February 29, 2012, to progress to the next phase. South Korea was the favourite in all three matches.
FIFA ethics rules and ministry audit findings
The KFA could escape FIFA sanctions because its Code of Ethics bars pursuing most cases after five years. Only bribery and corruption allegations carry a 10-year limitation period. While cases involving sexual abuse, harassment or exploitation carry no time limit, paying for sexual entertainment may not be covered by those provisions.
Cho Chung-yun, who served as KFA president at the time, was referred to police by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism following a 2016 audit alleging he misused federation funds. The ministry found that current and former KFA staff used business credit cards at massage parlours and other inappropriate establishments.
The ministry stated on Friday that it investigated claims that referees had been provided sexual entertainment, but struggled to verify all the facts. Accused KFA employees were not convicted and did not receive disciplinary repercussions from the football association.
Official responses and police raids
Former KFA officials told local news outlet JTBC that the referees asked to visit adult establishments and that it was 'common practice at the time' to accommodate their wishes. One former official noted that the practice extends past South Korea and is more common in other countries. A current KFA official said strict internal guidelines have since been implemented.
The audit report emerged this week mere hours after police raided the KFA HQ in Cheonan and KFA House in Seoul. The raids came as part of an investigation into the KFA's 2024 appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo, who previously coached the team from 2013 to 2014.
Hong's appointment faced criticism after the KFA abandoned a months-long search involving foreign applicants and appointed him after a brief meeting. Police seized documents believed to show whether the hiring process included improper meddling and obstruction by KFA leaders, including former chief Chung Mong-gyu.
The investigation was sparked after South Korea's disappointing performance in the FIFA World Cup campaign, which ended in a group-stage exit after losing a match to South Africa this year. Both Hong and Chung stepped down after the tournament exit, and both testified in parliament last month under scrutiny over the reasons behind the performance and operations within the KFA.
