[REVISION HISTORY]

South Korea football governance scandals

Updated 17 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-25 02:38 UTC → 2026-09-02 06:53 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In late July 2026, a National Assembly hearing revealed a text from lawmaker Yoon Yong-geun to former KFA president Jeong Mong-gyu, prompting calls for resignations. Subsequent investigations confirmed that between 2011 and 2012, the Korea Football Association (KFA) used corporate credit card funds to pay for sexual services for foreign referees at massage parlors during at least seven World Cup and Olympic qualifying matches. These payments, linked to former president Cho Chung-Yun, were first uncovered in a 2016 government audit. On 6 August, the KFA issued a formal apology, stating it had ‘lost its proper function’ and was in a ‘desolating situation.’ New reports suggest bribery involving cash and sexual favors may have been a practice since the mid-1980s, with specific allegations extending to the 2002 World Cup. Because several incidents occurred during 2012 Olympic qualifiers, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) may review the results, placing South Korea’s 2012 London Olympic men’s football bronze medal at risk of being stripped. Following these reports, the Japan Football Association (JFA) and the Chinese Football Association (CFA) launched investigations. The JFA, working with an external law firm, interviewed six Japanese referees and contacted a seventh via text. On 22 August, the JFA and CFA both issued denials, stating they found ‘no evidence of improper hospitality or any attempts to manipulate match results.’ ~~The CFA specifically addressed claims that its personnel received such treatment during a referee exchange in early 2012, stating they found no evidence to support the allegations.~~ In response to the ~~ongoing~~ scrutiny, the KFA ~~announced a restructuring of the~~ restructured its Professional Referee Evaluation Committee to ~~improve~~ enhance K League officiating fairness. The new seven-member committee ~~will include~~ includes non-referee members, such as coaches and match commissioners, comprising over 40% of the group. To improve transparency, the KFA will also implement ‘decision briefings’ to explain the reasoning behind major officiating calls.

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