South Korea FA apologises over ‘sexual services’ allegations

South Korea shot relation apologises implicit allegations relating to qualifiers for World Cup 2014 and the London 2012 Olympic Games.

South Korea’s nationalist ‌football relation has apologised aft a media study alleged ⁠it had provided “sexual ⁠services” to overseas referees erstwhile they were successful the state for planetary matches much than a decennary ago.

South Korean broadcaster JTBC reported ⁠on Thursday that the Korea Football Association (KFA) had provided specified services to overseas referees connected aggregate occasions successful 2011 and 2012, including erstwhile they ⁠were successful the state for qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup and the 2012 London Olympics.

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“We profoundly apologise for causing interest implicit assorted issues involving the association, which emerged from a parliamentary proceeding and an unprecedented hunt and seizure, ‌and from reports astir events from much than a decennary ago, that adjacent galore wrong the organisation were unaware of,” the KFA said successful a connection connected Saturday.

In its quality report, JTBC cited a 2016 sports ministry probe that recovered the KFA had provided inappropriate amusement to overseas referees connected 7 occasions betwixt March 2011 and March 2012, including trips to massage ⁠parlours wherever the fees had included the costs of ⁠sexual services.

The KFA did not instantly respond to an email seeking further remark and details.

“The relation makes wide that inappropriate behaviour of this kind, oregon the usage of firm cards for ⁠such purposes, is perfectly not presently taking place,” the KFA said successful its statement.

The allegations adhd to scrutiny ⁠of the relation implicit a abstracted contented involving ⁠the assignment of erstwhile nationalist squad manager Hong Myung-bo.

Seoul constabulary raided the KFA’s offices connected Thursday arsenic portion of an probe related to Hong’s appointment, constabulary told Reuters.

Hong returned arsenic nationalist squad ‌coach successful 2024 aft a erstwhile spell successful complaint from 2013 to 2014. His assignment drew scrutiny aft the KFA abandoned a months-long hunt involving ‌foreign ‌candidates and selected Hong pursuing a little meeting.

The contention resurfaced aft South Korea’s disappointing World Cup run ended successful a group-stage exit.