Police yesterday raided South Korea’s soccer association as part of an investigation into the appointment of the coach in charge during their dismal FIFA World Cup campaign.
Police conducted “search and seizure operations” at the Korea Football Association (KFA) offices, probing allegations of “obstruction of business” in the recruitment of former coach Hong Myung-bo, a police spokesman said.
The 57-year-old resigned in June after South Korea were knocked out at the group stage of the 48-team showpiece in the US, Mexico and Canada following a shock 1-0 defeat to South Africa.
Photo: AFP
Questions were already dogging the association over the 2024 appointment of Hong, but scrutiny intensified after South Korea failed to make the last-32 knockout stage.
Seoul police said financial crimes investigators were “looking into whether there were charges of obstruction of business during the appointment of Hong Myung-bo,” a spokesman said.
Local media reported authorities are investigating whether senior KFA officials improperly intervened in Hong’s appointment, allegedly in violation of internal rules.
South Korean media had labeled this year’s World Cup squad a “golden generation” and there were high hopes for a team featuring former Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min, Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae and former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in.
Late last month, Hong was summoned before a committee of lawmakers, where he said he took “full responsibility” for the poor performance.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung blamed the failure on “incompetent people” promoted to leadership in a statement alluding to “loyalty and factionalism” tainting recruitment at the sport’s top level.
Hong’s decision to leave Son on the bench in the first half for the decisive match against South Africa baffled and angered many supporters.
South Korea fans in June greeted Hong’s return from the World Cup with boos and chants of “Hong out,” while applauding the players who emerged behind him at the airport.
At last month’s parliamentary hearing, lawmakers also raised claims Hong had a salary of 3.8 billion won (US$2.67 million) — a figure reportedly at the high end for national coaches.
Hong said at the time that the figure was wrong, but declined to disclose the correct one.
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