Seoul, Aug 8 (IANS) The Korea Football Association (KFA) apologised on Saturday over allegations that it provided sexual entertainment to foreign referees and match officials before and after international matches held in South Korea in 2011 and 2012.
The apology came amid a series of controversies surrounding the KFA following South Korea’s early exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Local media recently reported that the association had arranged such entertainment for foreign referees and match officials during several World Cup and Olympic qualifiers and friendly matches in 2011 and 2012, reports Xinhua.
The KFA said it was “deeply sorry” for the disappointment and concern caused by a parliamentary hearing, a police raid on its headquarters and media reports concerning alleged irregularities dating back more than a decade.
The association said there are currently no such improper practices or use of corporate cards, while pledging sweeping reforms to improve transparency and ethical standards and restore public trust.
The KFA has recently faced scrutiny over the appointment of former national team head coach Hong Myung-bo. Police raided its headquarters earlier this week as part of an investigation into alleged irregularities in the 2024 appointment process.
A parliamentary hearing was also held last month to question former KFA president Chung Mong-gyu and Hong over the national team’s management and the association’s operations. Chung Mong-gyu resigned as president of the Korea Football Association a few weeks ago as the fallout from South Korea’s disappointing World Cup campaign continued.
Chung’s departure follows that of head coach Hong Myung-bo after South Korea failed to reach the knockout stage, finishing third in Group A with three points. South Korea defeated the Czech Republic but lost to Mexico and South Africa.
Announcing his resignation, Chung acknowledged both the successes and failures of his tenure.
One of Asia’s top teams, the national men’s football team of the Republic of Korea, reached a peak when it finished fourth in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, which Korea co-hosted with Japan. Team Korea reached the semifinals before losing to Germany, who later went on to lose to Brazil in the final.
–IANS
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