Japanese Media Highlights Allegations of Sexual Entertainment Involving J-League Referees

Amidst allegations that the Korea Football Association provided sexual entertainment to referees, growing attention is focused locally in Japan after it was revealed that Japanese referees were among the recipients.

The Japanese media outlet Football Tribe reported that the names of Japanese referees are included in the reports regarding the Korea Football Association's alleged provision of sexual entertainment.

The outlet explicitly named Ryuji Sato and Yuichi Nishimura, stating they were identified as beneficiaries related to sexual services.

Ryuji Sato served as the referee for matches against Honduras and China held in March 2011, and is currently working as a manager overseeing J-League referees at the Japan Football Association.

At the time, both assistant referees and the fourth official were also Japanese refereeing personnel.

Nishimura was the referee for the 2014 World Cup third-round Asian qualifier against Kuwait held in 2012.

The outlet pointed out, "If the reports by South Korean media are true, the Japan Football Association and the J-League will have no choice but to take some form of action," adding, "A reassessment of referee assignments for certain official J-League matches may become necessary."

Earlier yesterday, news broke that the Korea Football Association had systematically provided sexual entertainment targeting foreign refereeing personnel, sending shockwaves through football fans worldwide.

According to the findings of an audit conducted on the Korea Football Association by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2016, sexual entertainment was provided to about 10 individuals, including foreign referees and match commissioners, across a total of seven matches—comprising three World Cup and Olympic qualifiers and four friendly matches held domestically over a one-year period starting in March 2011.

In the international football community, sarcastic remarks have persistently circulated suggesting that South Korea's run to the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup was thanks to referee tampering. As it has now been revealed that such egregious practices continued even after that, South Korea's international football reputation is expected to face inescapable disgrace.

Reported by Kim Jiuk | Video by Lee Dain | Graphics by Yang Hyemin | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.