The Korea Football Association (KFA) has issued a public apology after a report alleged that it had spent thousands of dollars on sexual services for foreign referees before or after games in the early 2010s.

Investigation and Findings

The government’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism first issued the report in 2016 after investigating corruption in the KFA. The report found that the KFA paid for “sexual entertainment” at massage parlors on at least eight occasions from 2011 to 2012, for foreign referees and football officials visiting South Korea.

The KFA has introduced a “clean card system” in 2013, making it impossible to use corporate cards at locations such as massage parlors or karaoke bars. The association also hires separate liaison officers rather than using its own staff to assist referees.

Response and Aftermath

The KFA said it “deeply apologizes for the concern caused by various issues” and that “such inappropriate conduct or misuse of corporate cards are absolutely not occurring at present.” The sports ministry confirmed that it had referred the matter for further investigation and ordered the KFA to take action.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.