'Korean Humiliation' Japan: "Korea Football Association, allegations of corrupt appointments, sexual favors to referees, and officiating errors... a historic crisis"

*This content was translated by AI.

Troubles continue unabated. In the wake of South Korea's failure to advance from the group stage at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, Mexico, and Canada, neighboring Japan is closely monitoring the KFA as it faces a comprehensive crisis involving allegations of sexual favors, distrust of match decisions, and more.

On the 25th, Japanese media outlet 'Nishinippon' reported, "Facing a crisis, the Korea Football Association is under pressure to reform, including changes to its presidential election system, amid overlapping controversies over corrupt appointments, allegations of sexual favors, and officiating errors." The article detailed internal strife and the crisis within Korean football.

'Nishinippon' stated, "The Korea Football Association is facing an unprecedented crisis. Not only did it suffer the shocking result of failing to advance from the group stage at the World Cup in North America, Mexico, and Canada, but various scandals and disgraceful incidents that shake the very foundation of the organization have continuously come to light, causing public trust and the confidence of football fans to plummet completely." The outlet added, "There are strong demands for fundamental structural reforms, such as a complete overhaul of the presidential election system. It remains to be seen whether this will lead to broader renewal across the football community."

The media further explained, "Former KFA President Chung Mong-gyu and former national team coach Hong Myung-bo appeared before a National Assembly hearing, bowed their heads regarding the group stage exit, and issued formal apologies. Both Chung Jeon (Chairman) and former coach Hong are alumni of the same university. Since the process of appointing the national team coach in 2024, controversies have persisted alleging special treatment based on educational background. With public skepticism about corrupt appointments unresolved, the humiliation of failing to advance from the World Cup group stage has pushed fan anger to its limit."

Additionally, past allegations of sexual favors targeting international referee teams have resurfaced. The media pointed out, "Allegations emerged that the football association provided sexual favors to approximately 10 foreign referees, including Japanese nationals, in a total of seven matches between 2011 and 2012, such as World Cup qualifiers."

It further reported, "On the 19th, Korean police determined that the statute of limitations had expired regarding allegations of procuring prostitution. However, public attention is now focused on whether higher bodies like FIFA will impose separate disciplinary actions."

Distrust in professional league officiating has also reached its peak. 'Nishinippon' noted, "In a league match, despite one player's elbow striking an opponent's jaw with significant force, the referee allowed the game to continue. Although the association's post-match referee evaluation committee concluded it was an obvious error that should have resulted in a penalty kick, two additional controversial decisions occurred in that same match alone, provoking fierce protests from fans."

According to the media, one football fan criticized, "The Korean refereeing community is excessively closed-off and shows no sign of willingness for self-improvement. Even by referencing cases from the J-League's referee operations, the organization must completely overhaul its structure."

Furthermore, the media reported that the K-Football Innovation Committee has been discussing organizational reform plans for the association since July.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, the Korea Football Association issued an official statement: "We have lost our fundamental function of bringing joy and happiness to fans. Currently, no inappropriate behavior is occurring. We will treat external criticism and severe reprimands as an opportunity for bone-deep reform," promising to prevent recurrence and restore trust.

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*This content was translated by AI.