Names of referees also revealed → Investigation launched into 'sexual bribery' allegations against four individuals... "Results to be made public." Eventually, the Japanese Football Association also took action.

*This content was translated by AI.

Allegations of sexual bribery involving foreign referees by the Korea Football Association have spread to the Japanese football community. According to local Japanese reports, which even named a Japanese referee who may have received such bribes, the Japan Football Association (JFA) has launched an investigation into four of its own referees who officiated matches in South Korea at that time.

On the 9th (Korean time), Kyodo News reported, "It has been confirmed that the Japan Football Association is investigating four Japanese referees following media reports in South Korea alleging that the Korea Football Association provided inappropriate sexual favors to foreign referees in the past."

The report further explained, "It is understood that the JFA plans to make public the results after completing its investigation."

Previously, on the 6th, JTBC reported that a document titled 'Investigation Results on Corruption Involving Officials and Employees of the Korea Football Association,' prepared by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2016, contained details alleging that the Korea Football Association engaged in seven instances of inappropriate sexual favors between March 2011 and March 2012 against foreign referees who participated in national team matches for about one year.

The matches mentioned in the document include three World Cup and Olympic qualifiers held domestically and four friendly matches, totaling seven games. South Korea recorded five wins and two draws in these seven matches where allegations were raised.

These matches began with a March 2011 A-national team friendly against Honduras (4-0 win), followed by an Olympic team match against China in the same month (1-0 win), an A-team match against Serbia in June (2-1 win), an October 2012 London Olympics qualifier against Oman (2-0 win), a match against Poland in October (2-2 draw), a February 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kuwait (2-0 win), and a March London Olympics qualifier against Qatar (0-0 draw).

In these matches, allegations were raised that inappropriate hospitality was provided to two to four referees or one match supervisor.

Kyodo News noted, "Among them, it is reported that two of the four Japanese referees who officiated the 2012 World Cup Asian third-round qualifier between South Korea and Kuwait received sexual favors."

Some local Japanese media outlets even mentioned the real names of referees who may have received such bribes. The Japanese football specialty magazine 'Football Tribe' stated, "Allegations of sexual bribery have been raised against referees who officiated matches for the South Korean national team," adding, "Shock is spreading through the Japanese football community."

The report then named Japanese referees Ryuji Sato and Yuichi Nishimura, as well as Uzbekistani-born Ravshan Irmatov and Bahraini-born Nawaf Shukralla.

The period when these allegations were raised, 2011–2012, falls under the tenure of Jo Chung-yeon Jeon (Chairman), not the regime of Jeong Mong-gyu Jeon (Chairman). The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism audit and the preparation of related documents occurred in 2016, after Jung Jeon (Chairman) took office.

It is understood that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism compiled these details into an audit document based on statements from multiple officials in departments related to referees at the Korea Football Association, records of corporate card usage, and explanatory materials provided by the association. However, content regarding sexual bribery involving foreign referees was not disclosed to the public at that time.

It is reported that since Jung Jeon (Chairman) took office in 2013, no corporate card payment records related to sexual bribery similar to these allegations have been confirmed. The association stated that it has made efforts to eradicate such inappropriate practices through strengthened internal management and institutional improvements.

In response to this incident, the Korea Football Association issued an official apology statement on the 8th. The association stated, "We deeply regret that various controversies surrounding the association after the 2026 North American World Cup have caused great disappointment and concern," adding, "Our association has recently lost its core functions and finds itself in a truly dire situation."

It further emphasized, "We clearly state that such inappropriate behavior or card usage is absolutely not occurring at present," and expressed, "We sincerely hope that the valuable achievements and efforts of our national team players are not misunderstood due to this incident nor lose their significance."

The association also added, "All members will deeply internalize external criticism and condemnation and treat this as an opportunity for thorough reform."

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*This content was translated by AI.