South Korea is currently in trouble; football wise. They suffered an embarrassing group stage exit at this year's World Cup and their manager leaving as a result.
It has only intensified with the allegation that their referees have been receiving "special" favours and it being disguised as business expenses.
The country's football association has expressed regret for a series of controversies engulfing the organisation; including claims that corporate funds were used to pay for intimate entertainment involving foreign officials.
The claims have resurfaced after a report produced by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2016 was released publicly last week.
The ministry's investigation found that 5.6 million won (€3 425) was spent using KFA credit cards at massage parlours in the early 2010s. The expenditure was classified as being for 'sexual entertainment' for foreign referees visiting South Korea to officiate matches.
The officials involved included referees appointed to matches connected with South Korea's qualification campaigns for the 2012 Olympic Games in London and 2014 World Cup. South Korea ultimately competed at both tournaments.
According to the ministry's findings, KFA employees allegedly disguised the nature of the spending by recording the payments as expenses for meals, drinks or conventional massage services. One KFA official told broadcaster JTBC that "it was common practice back in those days".
The allegations have emerged as the governing body faces mounting scrutiny over its management of the national team and wider operations. In a statement on social media, the KFA said, "We offer our deepest apologies for the disappointment and concern caused by the various controversies."
While the association's statement primarily addressed a number of recent problems, it also acknowledged the renewed attention on the historical allegations; referring to "media reports regarding events from over a decade ago that even many of our own staff members were unaware of."
The KFA insisted that such behaviour is no longer taking place, adding: "However, we wish to clearly state that such inappropriate conduct or misuse of corporate cards is absolutely not occurring at the association at present. "Our association, which ought to bring joy and exhilaration to football fans through the fierce pursuit of goals and the fair sportsmanship that emerges in the process, has recently lost sight of its fundamental purpose and finds itself in a truly dire situation."
In a statement published on its website on Saturday, the KFA said it, "deeply apologizes for the concern caused by various issues, ranging from a parliamentary hearing and a search and seizure operation to media reports about events from over a decade ago that many members of the association were unaware of.”
In one example listed in the government report, South Korea’s national team played Oman on 21 September 2011 – competing for a spot in the 2012 London Olympics. In the early hours of the following morning, four referees who officiated the match were allegedly taken to a massage parlour by the KFA, which spent 760 000 Korean won ($536).
When KFA employees filed the expense report afterward, they reportedly lied – claiming the cost had been for post-match drinking.
A similar excursion occurred on 29 February 2012, before South Korea played Kuwait in a qualifying match for the 2014 Brazil World Cup. Then again for a referee assessor on 14 March 2012; while South Korea was playing Qatar in another Olympic qualifier.
In total, the KFA spent nearly 5.6 million Korean won (about $3 950) on "sexual entertainment" in that one-year period; the report found. Many of these times, KFA employees allegedly filed false expense reports chalking up the charges to meals, drinks, or standard massages.
The KFA also allegedly paid for sexual services for three officials from the Chinese Football Association who were visiting as part of a referee exchange program, the report said.
The report didn’t mention the nationalities of other referees implicated. However, Japanese media reports that the Japan Football Association (JFA) is investigating allegations that four Japanese referees were involved.
The association is already dealing with the fallout from South Korea's disappointing 2026 World Cup campaign, which ended in the group stage after matches against Mexico, the Czech Republic and South Africa.
Hong Myung-bo subsequently left his position as head coach, while KFA president Chung Mong-gyu also resigned amid strong public criticism. Police separately raided the KFA's headquarters last week as part of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Hong's appointment in 2024.
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Hong had previously managed South Korea between 2013 and 2014 before returning to the position in 2024. His latest appointment came after the KFA ended a lengthy recruitment process involving several overseas candidates.
South Korean media have suggested that the police investigation could also examine the allegations concerning payments for sexual services. An official said at a briefing on Monday, "we will review it."
A number of offences in South Korea carry a 15-year statute of limitations; potentially putting some of the historical allegations within the timeframe for investigation.
There has also been scrutiny across the Sea of Japan, with Japanese media reporting that the Japan Football Association is examining claims concerning referees from the country.
With the South Korea head coach position currently vacant, attention is also turning towards the future leadership of the association.
Park Ji-sung, the former South Korea captain and Manchester United midfielder who now heads a government-backed football innovation committee, said on Tuesday that presidential elections are expected to take place before the end of the year. Park has also proposed dramatically expanding the electorate, arguing that the current pool of around 200 officials, club representatives, coaches and players should be increased to roughly 20,000 voters, including semi-professional players.
It can be difficult to get over the matters discussed above. There's no chance of sweeping it over the rug. Seririous punishments should be dished out to the instigators of this whole thing.
The only hope is that time will heal all wounds.