Archive · 8 Aug 2026
KFA apologises over sexual entertainment allegations for foreign referees
The Korea Football Association is the group that runs soccer in South Korea.
It said sorry because of old news stories from 2011 and 2012.
Those stories say the association arranged adult entertainment for referees from other countries who came for games.
Referees are supposed to be fair and neutral, so this made many people angry.
The police came and searched the association's office.
Members of the government also asked the old president and the coach tough questions.
The old president, Chung Mong-gyu, gave up his job a few weeks ago.
The coach, Hong Myung-bo, also left after South Korea's team went home early from the FIFA World Cup.
The association promised to change and follow better rules, and it says these bad things do not happen anymore.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) apologised on Saturday over allegations it provided sexual entertainment to foreign referees and match officials before and after international matches in South Korea in 2011 and 2012.
Local media reported the arrangements took place during FIFA World Cup and Olympic qualifiers and friendly matches in 2011 and 2012.
The KFA said it was 'deeply sorry' and claimed there are currently no such improper practices or use of corporate cards, pledging sweeping reforms on transparency and ethics.
Police raided KFA headquarters over alleged irregularities in the 2024 appointment of head coach Hong Myung-bo, and a parliamentary hearing last month questioned him and former president Chung Mong-gyu.
Chung Mong-gyu resigned as KFA president weeks after South Korea exited the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the group stage, finishing third in Group A with three points (win vs the Czech Republic, losses to Mexico and South Africa).
- Who
- The Korea Football Association (KFA), including former KFA president Chung Mong-gyu and former national team head coach Hong Myung-bo, with allegations concerning foreign referees and match officials.
- What
- The KFA apologised over allegations that it provided sexual entertainment to foreign referees and match officials before and after international matches, amid scrutiny over South Korea's early 2026 FIFA World Cup exit and the 2024 appointment of Hong Myung-bo.
- When
- The apology was delivered on a Saturday; the alleged incidents date to 2011 and 2012, with a police raid occurring earlier that week and a parliamentary hearing the previous month.
- Where
- South Korea (the KFA is based in Seoul), where the international matches were held.
- Why
- To address allegations of misconduct and a parliamentary hearing and police investigation, and to restore public trust after controversy over the national team's World Cup performance and association operations.
Critics and Investigators
KFA Leadership
Sexual entertainment allegations
Critics and Investigators
Local media report the KFA arranged sexual entertainment for foreign referees and match officials during qualifiers and friendlies in 2011 and 2012, prompting a police raid and a parliamentary hearing.
KFA Leadership
The KFA said it is 'deeply sorry' for the concern and disappointment caused, maintains that no such improper practices or corporate card use exist currently, and pledged sweeping reforms.
Hong Myung-bo appointment and World Cup exit
Critics and Investigators
Police are investigating alleged irregularities in Hong Myung-bo's 2024 appointment as head coach, and a parliamentary hearing questioned the association's management after South Korea's early World Cup exit.
KFA Leadership
Chung Mong-gyu acknowledged both the successes and failures of his tenure as he resigned, and the KFA pledged reforms to restore public trust.
- Organization
- Korea Football Association (KFA)
- Allegation
- Providing sexual entertainment to foreign referees and match officials in 2011 and 2012
- Alleged Circumstances
- FIFA World Cup and Olympic qualifiers and friendly matches held in South Korea
- KFA Response
- Deeply sorry; says no such improper practices or corporate card use currently exist
- Reform Pledge
- Sweeping reforms to improve transparency and ethical standards and restore public trust
- 2026 World Cup Result
- Third in Group A with 3 points; beat the Czech Republic, lost to Mexico and South Africa
- Resignations
- KFA president Chung Mong-gyu and head coach Hong Myung-bo stepped down
- Investigations
- Police raid over alleged irregularities in Hong Myung-bo's 2024 appointment; parliamentary hearing last month