South Korea’s football authorities allegedly arranged sexual entertainment for foreign referees and match officials around international fixtures, according to findings contained in a government audit report.

The Korea Football Association (KFA) reportedly used corporate credit cards to cover expenses at massage parlours and other establishments in Seoul and cities where international matches were played between March 2011 and March 2012.

The matches included fixtures linked to qualification for the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

According to the report, about 12 referees and match coordinators from Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Bahrain and Uzbekistan were allegedly involved across seven games.

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South Korea remained unbeaten in those matches, recording five victories and two draws, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Among the games highlighted were Olympic qualifying fixtures against Oman and Qatar.

South Korea defeated Oman 2-0 on September 21, 2011, before playing out a goalless draw with Qatar in March 2012.

The country had already secured Olympic qualification before the latter fixture.

The findings were compiled in 2016 but have resurfaced as authorities investigate wider allegations involving the KFA.

South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it examined claims that referees were provided sexual entertainment but encountered difficulties verifying all aspects of the allegations.

Former KFA officials told JTBC that referees had requested visits to adult establishments and described it as "'common practice at the time'" to accommodate such requests.

The allegations emerged shortly after police raided KFA offices in Seoul and Cheonan on Thursday, August 6, 2026, as part of an investigation into the federation’s controversial appointment of Hong Myung-bo as national team coach in 2024.

The investigation is examining whether senior officials interfered improperly in the recruitment process.

Former KFA president Chung Mong-gyu and Hong both left their positions following South Korea’s 2026 World Cup group-stage exit.



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