The Korea Football Association allegedly used corporate credit cards to fund visits by foreign referees and match officials to Seoul massage parlors between March 2011 and March 2012, according to a 2016 government audit report. The report came to light during an investigation into the 2024 appointment of former national team head coach Hong Myung-bo.
The audit found the association paid for entertainment services for 12 referees and match coordinators from Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Bahrain, and Uzbekistan across seven international fixtures. News agency Yonhap reported that South Korea won five of those matches and drew two.
The matches under review include South Korea's 2-0 victory over Oman on September 21, 2011, and a 0-0 draw against Qatar on March 14, 2012, both during qualifiers for the London 2012 Olympic Games. South Korea had already secured its place at the London Olympics prior to the Qatar fixture.
The report also cited a World Cup qualifier on February 29, 2012, when South Korea defeated Kuwait 2-0 to advance to the next qualification round. South Korean broadcaster JTBC named Japanese referees Ryuji Sato and Yuichi Nishimura in connection with the Kuwait match.
Match Officials and Legal Proceedings
The Japan Football Association stated it is examining the matter, while the Korea Football Association issued an apology and asserted that such practices no longer take place. Following the 2016 audit, former Korea Football Association president Cho Chung-youn was referred for misuse of funds.
The audit noted that current and former association officials had used corporate credit cards at massage parlors and similar establishments. South Korea's sports ministry stated that allegations of providing sexual services to referees were investigated at the time but could not be verified.
South Korean media reported that the association did not reprimand or punish any officials over corporate credit card misuse. While South Korean law sets a 10-year statute of limitations on bribery and corruption charges, exceptions for sexual abuse, harassment, or exploitation do not extend to paid sexual entertainment.
Association officials stated that seeking adult entertainment for referees was common practice during that period. One official told JTBC that providing sexual entertainment for match officials was widespread in other countries on a larger scale, triggering public backlash over governance and transparency at the Korea Football Association.
