Kyodo News agency reported that the Japan Football Association (JFA) intends to publicize its findings upon completing the investigation.

On 6/8, South Korean broadcaster JTBC revealed the conclusions of a 2016 report by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) regarding misconduct by the Korea Football Association (KFA). This report had never been publicly disclosed. It detailed seven instances where the KFA provided "inappropriate entertainment" to ten foreign referees and referee supervisors officiating South Korean national team matches. These included three World Cup and Olympic qualifiers, along with four international friendlies.

Referee Yuichi Nishimura (right) shows a yellow card to Fahed Al Ebrahim during South Korea's 2-0 victory over Kuwait in a 2014 World Cup qualifier at Seoul World Cup Stadium on 29/2/2012. Photo: AFP

These incidents occurred between 3/2011 and 3/2012, during the tenure of former KFA President Cho Chung-yun. Payments were made using KFA credit cards at massage and spa facilities in South Korea. Each transaction ranged from several hundred thousand to over one million won, approximately 700 USD.

One Japanese referee, Yuichi Nishimura, was specifically mentioned. He officiated South Korea's 2-0 win against Kuwait in a 2014 World Cup qualifier at Seoul World Cup Stadium on 29/2/2012. According to records, in the early hours of the same day, a KFA credit card was used to pay 500,000 won (350 USD) at a massage facility in the Gangnam district of Seoul.

A staff member from the KFA's referee department informed the investigation team that the fees at the massage facility included the cost of prostitution. The staff member also stated that foreign referees proactively made these requests upon arrival at airports or hotels, prompting the KFA to arrange the entertainment.

South Korea's Yonhap News agency characterized these events as "serious sexual bribery of officials". However, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is not considering a reinvestigation because the statute of limitations has expired. Cases with a statute of limitations exceeding 15 years are typically reserved for serious crimes.

Currently, police are focused on investigating the KFA's appointment process for former national team coach Hong Myung-bo. He faced significant criticism after South Korea's elimination from the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, which led to his resignation. Former President Chung Mong-gyu and former Technical Director Lee Im-saeng are accused of abusing their positions to influence the appointment process. Police raided the KFA headquarters in Seoul on 6/8. Chung's mobile phone and other items were seized for the investigation.

Previously, Chung, Lee, and Hong appeared before the South Korean National Assembly to provide explanations. They denied all accusations of abuse of trust and power.

The KFA has faced a significant crisis since former President Chung's previous term. Notable issues include pardoning players involved in match-fixing, the team's elimination from the semifinals of the Asian Cup 2023 under German coach Jurgen Klinsmann, and an altercation between two prominent stars, Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in.

On 8/8, the KFA issued a statement apologizing for the instability and pledging close cooperation with authorities to stabilize the Federation's operations.