Police investigating alleged illegalities in the appointment process of former national team coach Hong Myung-bo said they will review whether they can also investigate the recently raised Korea Football Association "sexual entertainment for referees" case.
An official at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said at a regular press briefing on the 10th, regarding the sexual entertainment for referees case, "We have not yet launched an investigation," but added, "If we do open an investigation, we will review it." The official added, "There seems to be a need to review prosecutorial requirements and the like, but we have not confirmed the details."
Controversy is continuing after the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's audit findings—alleging that the football association provided sexual entertainment to foreign referees who took part in seven matches, including World Cup and Olympic qualifiers and friendlies from 2011 to 2012—were belatedly disclosed. However, because the case dates back 15 years, the statute of limitations is an obstacle for police investigation.
Police are first concentrating investigative resources on the process of appointing the former coach Hong. After recently summoning in succession football figures who served as performance enhancement Commissioners at the time, police also questioned, one after another, the accused, including former coach Hong and former association technical director-general Lee Im-saeng. On the 6th, they also carried out searches and seizures at the football association's offices and other locations.
An official at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said, "The procedural materials obtained through the search and seizure) are meaningful."