The Controversy Resurfaced After South Korea's Disappointing World Cup Campaign Ended in a Group-stage Exit

South Korea's national football association has apologized after a media report alleged it provided "sexual services" to foreign referees during international matches more than a decade ago. Broadcaster JTBC reported on Thursday that the Korea Football Association (KFA) had provided such services on multiple occasions in 2011 and 2012, including during qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics. In a statement on Saturday, the KFA said: "We deeply apologise for causing concern over various issues involving the association, which emerged from a parliamentary hearing and an unprecedented search and seizure, and from reports about events from more than a decade ago, that even many within the organisation were unaware of.

JTBC cited a 2016 sports ministry investigation that found the KFA had provided inappropriate entertainment to foreign referees on seven occasions between March 2011 and March 2012, including trips to massage parlours where fees included the costs of sexual services. The KFA added that "inappropriate conduct of this kind, or the use of corporate cards for such purposes, is absolutely not currently taking place. The allegations add to scrutiny over the appointment of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo.

Seoul police raided the KFA's offices on Thursday as part of an investigation related to Hong's appointment, police told. Hong returned as national team coach in 2024 after a previous spell from 2013 to 2014. His appointment drew scrutiny after the KFA abandoned a months-long search involving foreign candidates and selected Hong following a brief meeting. The controversy resurfaced after South Korea's disappointing World Cup campaign ended in a group-stage exit.