TOKYO - The Japan Football Association has launched an investigation into four referees alleged to have been provided "sexual services" by the Korea Football Association, a source close to the matter said Sunday.
South Korean media reported Friday that around 10 overseas referees, who oversaw seven matches in South Korea between 2011 and 2012, received massages at parlors in Seoul, Ulsan and other cities, paid for with KFA corporate credit cards.
The JFA is intent on making the result of the investigation public, the source said.
The report said two of the four Japanese match officials at a 2012 World Cup Asian third-round qualifier between South Korea and Kuwait received massages. South Korea won the match 2-0 and secured a place in the final round.
The report, citing a 2016 audit report by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said three of the seven matches were World Cup or Olympic qualifiers and the remaining four were friendlies.
