Soccer-South Korea police raid football association over Hong appointment process

Seoul police raided the Korea Football Association offices as part of an investigation into the appointment of former coach Hong Myung-bo, amid allegations of obstruction and special treatment.

Seoul police raided the Korea ​Football Association (KFA) offices on Thursday ​as part of an "obstruction ‌of ​business" investigation into the appointment of former coach Hong Myung-bo, police told Reuters. The KFA did not ‌immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Hong returned as national team coach in 2024 after a previous spell in charge from 2013 to ‌2014. His appointment came under scrutiny after the KFA abandoned a months-long ‌search involving foreign candidates and appointed him following a brief meeting.

The issue resurfaced after South Korea's disappointing World Cup campaign, which ended in a group-stage exit. At a parliamentary ⁠hearing ​last month, Hong ⁠rejected suggestions by lawmakers that he had received special treatment in his appointment, while ⁠taking responsibility for South Korea's failure at the tournament.

South Korea's sports ministry said ​in October 2024 that the KFA breached its own rules in ⁠the appointments of both Hong and former coach Juergen Klinsmann, finding that the technical director's ⁠meeting ​with Hong did not constitute a proper interview. However, it found no evidence of illegal conduct and did not order Hong's contract ⁠to be cancelled.

Police had already been investigating complaints alleging improper interference in Hong's ⁠appointment before ⁠the World Cup. No criminal findings have been announced against Hong or KFA officials.