Seoul: The South Korean Football Association (KFA) issued an official apology on Saturday following revelations that it had allegedly provided "sexual services" to foreign referees officiating in the country over a decade ago.
According to Thai News Agency, news reports have cited a 2016 investigation by the Ministry of Sports that found the KFA had hosted seven inappropriate banquets for foreign referees from March 2011 to March 2012. These events coincided with the 2014 World Cup qualifiers and the 2012 London Olympics and reportedly included trips to massage parlors where hidden fees for sexual services were allegedly offered.
This controversy intensifies the scrutiny on the KFA, which is already under investigation in a separate case. Previously, Seoul police conducted a raid on the association's headquarters to probe into the appointment of Hong Myung-bo as head coach of the national team. The process was criticized for its lack of transparency after the KFA abruptly ended a months-long search for a foreign coach and quickly appointed Myung-bo following a brief meeting.