Police Raid South Korea FA in Probe Into World Cup Coach Appointment
Police are reviewing seized KFA records to determine whether officials interfered with Hong Myung-bo’s hiring and breached internal selection rules.
- On Thursday, Seoul police conducted search-and-seizure operations at the Korea Football Association offices, probing allegations of "obstruction of business" in the 2024 appointment of former coach Hong Myung-bo.
- South Korea's group-stage exit at the 2026 World Cup after a shock 1-0 loss to South Africa prompted the probe, following June chants of "Hong out!" from disgruntled fans.
- During a July parliamentary hearing, MPs questioned Hong's 3.8 billion won salary, which he disputed, while he said he took "full responsibility" for the poor performance.
- President Lee Jae Myung blamed the team's failure on "incompetent people" promoted to leadership, citing "loyalty and factionalism" tainting recruitment at the sport's top level.
- Financial crimes investigators are probing whether senior KFA officials improperly intervened in the recruitment process, allegedly violating internal rules amid persistent concerns about how Hong was selected.
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Sports scandals continue to appear this summer. According to an audit report prepared by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2016, the South Korean Football Federation (KFA) provided sexual entertainment to referees of foreign origin between 2011 and 2012. A Yonhap report has ensured that this information comes out ... Continue reading "Scandal in South Korea: Your Football Federation paid "sexual entertainment services" to referees"
The country's judiciary began an investigation after receiving allegations of the appointment of former technician Hong Myung-bo, who was categorized as "incompetent" by South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung and even received death threats from the fans.
Since the messed-up World Cup, the South Korean Football Association has not come to rest. According to media reports, the KFA Referees have paid visits to special massage salons – even before a decisive World Cup qualification game.
The revelations from the past have once again increased pressure on the South Korean Football Association, which is already facing another high-profile investigation.
There is no calm in South Korean football. First, a raid was announced on Thursday, now it's about the accusation of bribery.
The association in South Korea is said to have invited impartials on visits to appropriate massage salons in 2011 and 2012.
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