Korea Football Association Admits to "Losing Its Core Function"... Issues Public Apology Amid Ongoing Controversies Including 'Sexual Favors for Referees'

Korea Football Association Issues Apology Statement
"We Deeply Apologize for Causing Concern Over Various Matters"

In the wake of the disappointing performance at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, the Korea Football Association, which is facing a police raid and past corruption allegations, has apologized to fans and football stakeholders and pledged to reform.

On August 8, the Korea Football Association issued a statement addressed to "Football Fans and Stakeholders," saying, "We deeply regret having caused significant disappointment and concern due to various controversies surrounding the association following the 2026 North and Central America World Cup."

The association stated, "While our role should be to bring joy and excitement to football fans through relentless effort toward the goal and the sportsmanship that emerges in the process, we have recently lost our core function and are, quite frankly, in a dire situation."

Statement from the Korea Football Association to Football Fans and Stakeholders. Korea Football Association.

The statement continued, "Following a National Assembly hearing, we sincerely apologize for causing distress with various matters related to the association, including the unprecedented police raid and reports about incidents from more than ten years ago, which even many internal members were not fully aware of."

The association is facing intense backlash after the national team was eliminated from the group stage following a poor showing at the North and Central America World Cup.

On top of this, controversy surrounding the association has intensified further due to new allegations that 'sexual services' were provided to foreign referees and supervisors during the 2011–2012 World Cup and Olympic qualifiers and friendly matches held in South Korea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.