Police raid South Korea FA in investigation into World Cup coach appointment
Police raided South Korea’s football association on Thursday as part of an investigation into the appointment of the coach in charge during their dismal World Cup campaign.Officers conducted “search and seizure operations” at the Korea Football Association (KFA) headquarters, looking into allegations of “obstruction of business” in the recruitment of former coach Hong Myung-bo, a police spokesman said.The 57-year-old Hong resigned in June after South Korea were knocked out at the group stage of the 48-team showpiece in the United States, Mexico and Canada following a shock 1-0 defeat to South Africa.Questions were already dogging the KFA over the 2024 appointment of Hong, but scrutiny has intensified since the team 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.
