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KFA Apologizes for Allegedly Paying Foreign Referees Sex Services

8/12/2026

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The Korea Football Association (KFA) apologized for allegedly paying foreign referees for sexual entertainment.
A 2016 ministry report showed KFA cards were charged 5.6 million won (£2,927) for massage-parlour services to referees of 2014 World Cup and 2012 Olympic qualifiers, which staff logged as food, drink or massages.
Manager Hong Myung-bo and president Chung Mong-gyu resigned this summer after public anger over South Korea’s group-stage exit at the World Cup.

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Story summary

The Korea Football Association (KFA) apologized for allegedly paying foreign referees for sexual entertainment.
A 2016 ministry report showed KFA cards were charged 5.6 million won (£2,927) for massage-parlour services to referees of 2014 World Cup and 2012 Olympic qualifiers, which staff logged as food, drink or massages.
Manager Hong Myung-bo and president Chung Mong-gyu resigned this summer after public anger over South Korea’s group-stage exit at the World Cup.