Japan Football Association Investigates Four Japanese Referees Over Allegations of Sexual Entertainment in Korea

The Japan Football Association has launched an investigation into four Japanese referees who officiated matches at the time, following allegations that the Korea Football Association provided sexual entertainment to foreign referees and match supervisors.

Kyodo News reported on August 9 that the Japan Football Association is investigating four Japanese referees in connection with the Korea Football Association’s alleged provision of sexual entertainment.

According to an audit conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea in 2016, it was found that sexual entertainment was provided to around 10 foreign referees and match supervisors during a total of seven matches—three World Cup and Olympic qualifiers and four friendly matches—held domestically from March 2011 to March 2012.

The area around Korea Football Park in Ipjang-myeon, Seobuk-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungnam, where the police conducted a raid on the University Football Association on the 6th, is quiet. The police started the raid around 9 a.m. that day and sent all employees outside. 2026.8.6 coolee@yna.co.kr (End) Yonhap News Agency

The referees and officials who allegedly received such entertainment were known to be from Japan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran, Bahrain, and Uzbekistan.

Kyodo News further reported that, according to recent Korean media coverage, two of the four Japanese referees who oversaw the 2012 World Cup Asian third qualifying round match between Korea and Kuwait received sexual entertainment.

Most of the referees who were allegedly entertained at the time have already retired, but some Japanese referees are reportedly currently working as managers supervising J-League referees within the Japan Football Association.

Kyodo News reported that the Japan Football Association plans to announce the results after verifying the facts regarding the referees under investigation.

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