Football federation provided sexual entertainment for foreign referees: gov't audit

In 2011 and 2012, South Korea's football federation, the Korea Football Association (KFA), allegedly provided sexual entertainment to foreign referees using corporate credit cards, according to a past government audit report. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism published the report in 2016, detailing the use of the KFA's credit cards to pay for services at massage parlors and other adult establishments in Seoul and other cities hosting international matches, including qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

KFA President Cho Chung-yun was in charge during this period. Former KFA officials told the broadcaster that the foreign referees had requested to be served at these establishments, and it was considered a common practice at the time to accommodate their requests. One former KFA executive claimed that this practice was even more concerning in other countries.

A current KFA official stated that verifying the usage of corporate cards from that time was challenging but noted that the federation has since established strict internal guidelines. The report emerged shortly after police conducted a raid on the KFA headquarters in Cheonan, some 90 kilometers south of Seoul, as part of an investigation into the KFA's selection process for the 2024 men's national team head coach.

Police seized documents that they believe will aid in determining whether there was any improper interference or obstruction by KFA leaders, including former chief Chung Mong-gyu, during the hiring process. Both Hong and Chung resigned following South Korea's early exit from the 2018 World Cup, and they were questioned during a parliamentary session on July 30 about the KFA's operations and the reasons behind the team's disappointing performance in the tournament.