South Korea’s Football Association has apologised after reports alleged that its staff used association credit cards to pay for sexual entertainment for visiting foreign referees in the early 2010s. The claims have intensified scrutiny of the KFA, already facing public anger over the national team’s World Cup exit, leadership resignations and questions over its managerial appointments.

A 2016 government report, released after being obtained by JTBC, found alleged payments of 5.6m won (£2,927) were falsely recorded as food, drink or massages; some referees had officiated South Korea’s World Cup and Olympic qualifiers. Police may consider the allegations as part of their wider inquiries, though many offences face a 15-year limitation period; the KFA says such conduct is not happening now.