Polity & Governance
South Korea football scandal: KFA apologises for alleged sexual favours to referees
What happened
The Korea Football Association (KFA) has issued a public apology after a former official accused the body of pressuring referees to provide sexual favours in exchange for match decisions. The scandal has triggered calls for an independent investigation into alleged corruption within South Korea’s football governance.
Key facts
bullet: A former KFA official accused the organisation of instructing referees to accept sexual favours to influence match outcomes.
bullet: The KFA issued an apology on 12 August 2026, acknowledging the allegations and pledging to cooperate with investigations.
bullet: The scandal has prompted calls from football players, fans, and lawmakers for an independent inquiry into the KFA’s practices.
bullet: South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has not yet commented on whether it will intervene in the matter.
Context
bullet: The Korea Football Association (KFA) is the governing body for football in South Korea, overseeing national teams and domestic leagues. bullet: Football in South Korea has faced repeated corruption allegations, including match-fixing and referee misconduct in recent years. bullet: The KFA has previously been criticised for lack of transparency in its governance and disciplinary processes.