SEOUL:
South Korea’s nationwide soccer affiliation apologised on Saturday after a media report alleged it had supplied “sexual providers” to overseas referees once they have been within the nation for worldwide matches greater than a decade in the past.
South Korean broadcaster JTBC reported, opens new tab on Thursday that the Korea Soccer Affiliation (KFA) had supplied such providers to overseas referees on a number of events in 2011 and 2012, together with once they have been in the nation for qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics.
“We deeply apologise for inflicting concern over numerous points involving the affiliation, which emerged from a parliamentary listening to and an unprecedented search and seizure, and from experiences about occasions from greater than a decade in the past, that even many inside the organisation have been unaware of,” the KFA stated in a press release.
In its information report, JTBC cited a 2016 sports activities ministry investigation that discovered the KFA had supplied inappropriate leisure to overseas referees on seven events between March 2011 and March 2012, together with journeys to therapeutic massage parlours the place the charges had included the prices of sexual providers.
The KFA didn’t instantly reply to an e-mail in search of additional remark and particulars.
“The affiliation makes clear that inappropriate conduct of this type, or the usage of company playing cards for such functions, is totally not presently going down,” the KFA stated in its assertion.
The allegations add to scrutiny of the affiliation over a separate difficulty involving the appointment of former nationwide workforce coach Hong Myung-bo.
Seoul police raided the KFA’s places of work on Thursday as a part of an investigation associated to Hong’s appointment, police advised Reuters.
Hong returned as nationwide workforce coach in 2024 after a earlier spell in cost from 2013 to 2014. His appointment drew scrutiny after the KFA deserted a months-long search involving overseas candidates and chosen Hong following a short assembly.
The controversy resurfaced after South Korea’s disappointing World Cup marketing campaign led to a group-stage exit.
