Archive · 10 Aug 2026
KFA Report: Referees Taken to Massage Parlours for Sexual Entertainment
The Korea Football Association is the group that runs soccer in South Korea.
A report says the group paid for sexual entertainment for referees from other countries.
The referees visited massage parlours in Seoul and other cities.
The group used its business credit cards to pay the bills.
This happened before and after international matches in 2011 and 2012.
Those matches were important because they helped teams qualify for the Olympics and the World Cup.
Twelve referees and officials from countries like Japan, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates were involved.
South Korea won five of those matches and tied two more.
The report was written in 2016 but people only learned about it this week.
Now the group might be punished, though some cases are limited by a five-year rule.
A 2016 government audit report alleges the Korea Football Association (KFA) paid for sexual entertainment for foreign referees at massage parlours using business credit cards.
The incidents occurred at international matches between March 2011 and March 2012, including qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Twelve referees and match coordinators from Japan, the UAE, Iran, Bahrain and Uzbekistan were involved across seven matches, five of which South Korea won and two drew.
The report resurfaced this week amid an investigation into the KFA's 2024 appointment of former coach Hong Myung-bo.
Former KFA president Cho Chung-yun was referred to police for misuse of funds, and the association may still face punishment despite its five-year ethics limitation period.
- Who
- The Korea Football Association (KFA), its former president Cho Chung-yun, and 12 foreign referees and match coordinators from Japan, the UAE, Iran, Bahrain and Uzbekistan.
- What
- The KFA allegedly used business credit cards to pay for sexual entertainment for foreign referees at massage parlours before and after international matches, according to a government audit report.
- When
- Between March 2011 and March 2012; the audit report was compiled in 2016 and surfaced publicly this week.
- Where
- Seoul and other cities in South Korea, at international football matches.
- Why
- The report came to light following an investigation into the KFA's 2024 appointment of former coach Hong Myung-bo, and concerns misuse of funds and the provision of entertainment to match officials.
Accountability First
Rules and Due Process
Time limit for punishment
Accountability First
The KFA should face punishment for the scandal despite the years that have passed since the incidents.
Rules and Due Process
The KFA's Code of Ethics bars most cases from being pursued after five years, and paying for sexual entertainment does not fall under exceptions with longer or no limits.
Verification of the claims
Accountability First
The audit report documents that the KFA used business credit cards at massage parlours and provided sexual entertainment to referees.
Rules and Due Process
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said the claims were investigated at the time but could not be verified.
- Organisation
- Korea Football Association (KFA)
- Incident period
- March 2011 - March 2012 across seven international matches
- Report
- Government audit report compiled in 2016
- Recipients
- 12 referees and match coordinators from Japan, UAE, Iran, Bahrain and Uzbekistan
- Locations
- Massage parlours in Seoul and other South Korean cities
- Match results
- South Korea won 5 matches and drew 2
- Former president
- Cho Chung-yun, referred to police for misuse of funds
- Limitation period
- KFA Code of Ethics bars most cases after five years; bribery and corruption have a 10-year limit