\n\t\t\t\t\tSouth Korea Football Association faces scrutiny after a government audit alleged it provided sexual entertainment to foreign referees during international matches\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
The South Korea Football Association (KFA) is facing renewed scrutiny after a government audit alleged<\/a> that the federation provided sexual entertainment to foreign referees during international matches held in the country.<\/p>\n According to a 2016 audit by South Korea\u2019s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the South Korea Football Association used corporate credit cards to pay for sexual entertainment at massage parlors and other adult establishments in Seoul and host cities. The expenses reportedly occurred between March 2011 and March 2012, surrounding major international fixtures.<\/p>\n Matches during that period included qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 FIFA World Cup<\/a>, placing the allegations within a significant window for South Korean football<\/a>.<\/p>\n The audit, first reported by JTBC, cited testimony from former KFA officials who said foreign referees had requested such services. One former executive described the practice as \u201ca common practice at the time,\u201d while also claiming that similar or worse practices existed in other countries.<\/p>\n Read more: Korean YouTuber Who Suffered Slant-Eyed Gesture at World Cup Gets Slammed For Using Messi Jersey as Doormat<\/a><\/p>\n At the time of the alleged incidents, Cho Chung-yun was serving as president of the South Korea Football Association.<\/p>\n A current KFA official said verifying corporate card usage from over a decade ago is difficult but emphasized that stricter internal controls and compliance guidelines have since been implemented.<\/p>\n The resurfacing of the audit comes amid broader controversy surrounding the South Korea Football Association. On Thursday, police raided<\/a> KFA headquarters in Cheonan, approximately 90 kilometers south of Seoul, as part of an ongoing investigation into the 2024 appointment of former national team head coach Hong Myung-bo.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n p]:mt-4 [&_strong:has(+br)]:inline-block [&_strong:has(+br)]:align-top\u201d>Authorities also searched the KFA House in central Seoul, seeking evidence of potential irregularities, including possible interference or obstruction by senior officials such as former president Chung Mong-gyu.<\/p>\n The investigation, which began shortly after Hong\u2019s appointment, had stalled for nearly two years before regaining momentum following South Korea\u2019s group-stage exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n Hong Myung-bo and Chung Mong-gyu both stepped down after the tournament and later testified before lawmakers at a parliamentary hearing on July 30, where officials were questioned over governance issues and the national team\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n