The 2011 South Korean football betting scandal involved

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and sharing a Korean Demilitarized Zone, land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed ...

's top professional football leagues,

K-League K League (Hangul: K리그) is South Korea's professional football league. It includes first division K League 1 and second division K League 2. History Until the 1970s, South Korean football operated two major football leagues, the National S ...

. In mid-2011,

association football Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a team sport played between two teams of 11 players who primarily use their feet to propel the ball around a rectangular field called a pitch. The objective of the game is ...

, especially

, was overshadowed by the discovery of

match fixing In organized sports, match fixing is the act of playing or officiating a match with the intention of achieving a pre-determined result, violating the rules of the game and often the law. There are many reasons why match fixing might take place, ...

scandal among the players, brokers such as gangsters and coaches in

Background

After an arrest warrant was issued for two football players on 25 May 2011 by the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, the

's match-fixing case began to surface. The prosecutors arrested two brokers and are investigating 10 players, including

Sangju Sangmu Phoenix Gimcheon Sangmu FC (Hangul: 김천 상무 프로축구단; Hanja: 金泉尚武 프로蹴球團) is a South Korean professional association football club based in Gimcheon that competes in the K League 2, the second tier of South Korean football. ...

's striker and former

national team A national sports team (commonly known as a national team or a national side) is a team that represents a nation, rather than a particular club or region, in an international sport. The term is most commonly associated with team sports, for exa ...

member Kim Dong-hyun. The inception of this scandal was the alleged suicide of one footballer named Yoon Ki-Won of

Incheon United Incheon United FC is a South Korean professional football club based in Incheon that competes in the K League 1, the top flight of South Korean football. Founded in 2003, the club is a so-called "community club", with the government of the city ...

. His suicide was amplified with the match-fixing allegations through media and football fans. But

trying to purified itself and other persons who were involved in match-fixing didn't appear, match-fixing scandal was an open secret in

through the illegal betting sites.

Affected football matches

On 7 July 2011, Changwon division of Supreme Prosecutors' Office revealed fifteen match-fixing matches. Bold team is leading the match-fixing On 4 August 2011, Changwon division of Supreme Prosecutors' Office revealed additional four match-fixing matches. Also, 2011 season's two matches were related match-fixing.

First investigation

The reports of the arrests of two footballers by the South Korean media had led to the exposure of the initial match-fixing scandals in the

. Especially, former national football team member Kim Dong-hyun, who was believed to have deep connections to accomplices. The arrested footballers were Park Sang-Wook of

Daejeon Citizen Daejeon Hana Citizen Football Club (Korean 대전 하나 시티즌 축구단) is a South Korean professional football team based in Daejeon that competes in the K League 1, the top tier of South Korean football. At the time of its foundation in 19 ...

and

Sung Kyung-Mo Sung Kyung-Mo (born 26 June 1980) is a South Korean Association football, football player who played for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Incheon United and Gwangju FC. He was released for accepting bribes as part of a probe into match-fixing in the le ...

Gwangju FC Gwangju FC (Korean: 광주 FC) is a South Korean professional football club based in Gwangju that competes in the K League 1, the top tier of South Korean football. They joined the K League in the 2011 season. History Gwangju FC was founded ...

. On 27 May 2011, four players of

were also arrested and more extensive investigations were held into match-fixing. On 30 May 2011, former footballer Jung Jong-Kwan, who played for

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors ( ko, 전북 현대 모터스) is a South Korean professional football club based in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province that competes in the K League 1, the top tier of South Korean football. Playing at the Jeonju World Cup S ...

was found dead in an apparent suicide. In his suicide note, he said "I’m ashamed of myself as a person involved in the match fixing scandal. Those under investigation are all my friends and they haven’t blown my name because of friendship. All is my fault and I got them involved."

Penalties

On 17 June 2011, the Changwon division of Supreme Prosecutors' Office announced an investigation result of match-fixing. Ten football players were banned from playing in the South Korean football permanently. Kim Jung-Kyum of

Pohang Steelers The Pohang Steelers (Hangul: 포항 스틸러스) are a South Korean professional football club based in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province that compete in the K League 1, the top flight of South Korean football. The Steelers were founded on 1 A ...

was banned for five years in South Korean football, because he made unfair profits from the knowledge of match-fixing.

's dividend of ''Sports Toto'' was reduced 30% for the 2011 season, and

and

was reduced by 10% each. * Expelled permanently (10 players): Kim Dong-hyun, (

);

, (

); Park Sang-Wook, Kim Ba-Woo, Sin Jun-Bae, Yang Jung-Min, Kwak Chang-Hee, Kang Gu-Nam, Lee Jung-Won and Lee Myeong-Cheol, (all

) * Expelled for five years (1 player): Kim Jung-Kyum, (

) * Reduce the profit (3 clubs):

(-30% of sportstoto dividend),

and

(-10%) * Players involved lost all opportunities to make the All Asia Space Team

Second investigation

After first investigation ended, Changwon division of Supreme Prosecutors' Office and the military prosecution broadened the scope of the investigation. The first investigation was focused on related to

's players, second investigation was focused on related to

Chunnam Dragons The Jeonnam Dragons (Korean: 전남 드래곤즈) are a South Korean professional football club based in the city of Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province that competes in the K League 2, the second tier of South Korean football. The Dragons play thei ...

' players. On 7 July 2011, Changwon division of Supreme Prosecutors' Office announced investigation result of match-fixing. Ten retired and active football players were arrested on related match-fixing. And 29 retired and active football players were under indictment and three players were summarily indicted. * footballers were arrested : ** Kim Seung-Hyun ( Honam University coach, formerly

) **

Kim Hyung-Ho Kim Hyung-Ho ( ko, 김형호; born 20 February 1987) is a South Korean football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means th ...

(

) ** Park Ji-Yong (

Gangwon FC Gangwon FC (Hangul:강원 FC) is a South Korean football club. Based in Gangwon Province of South Korea, Gangwon FC joined the K League as its 15th club for the 2009 season. The club is sponsored by High1 Resort. History Foundation Gangw ...

, formerly

) **

Song Jung-Hyun Song Jung-Hyun (, born 28 May 1976) is a South Korean footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, American football, ...

(

) **

Yeom Dong-Gyun Yeom Dong-gyun (born 3 November 1983) is a South Korean former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He spent most of his career playing for Chunnam Dragons and was a part of the national team by 10 October 2008. Match-fixing O ...

(

, formerly

) **

Jung Yoon-Sung Jung Yoon-sung (born June 1, 1984) is a South Korean football forward. Career He formerly played for Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Gwangju Sangmu, Gyeongnam FC and Chunnam Dragons The Jeonnam Dragons (Korean: 전남 드래곤즈) are a South K ...

(

) **

Lee Sang-Hong Lee Sang-Hong (; born February 4, 1979) is a South Korean football player. He previous played for Bucheon SK, Jeju United, Gyeongnam FC, Chunnam Dragons and Busan I'Park Busan IPark ( ko, 부산 아이파크) is a South Korean professional footb ...

(

Busan I'Park Busan IPark ( ko, 부산 아이파크) is a South Korean professional football club based in Busan that competes in K League 2, the second tier of the South Korean football pyramid. Its current home ground is Busan Gudeok Stadium. The club was o ...

, formerly

) ** Park Sang-Cheol (

, formerly

) ** Kim Jee-Hyuk (

, formerly

Gwangju Sangmu FC Gimcheon Sangmu FC (Hangul: 김천 상무 프로축구단; Hanja: 金泉尚武 프로蹴球團) is a South Korean professional association football club based in Gimcheon that competes in the K League 2, the second tier of South Korean football. ...

) ** Ju Kwang-Youn (

, formerly

) Kim Dong-hyun (

), Park Sang-Wook, Sin Jun-Bae, Yang Jung-Min (all

) were arrested in 1st investigation, but weren't arrested in 2nd investigation. * football players were under indictment : ** 11 players from

formerly ( Choi Sung-Kuk, Chun Je-Hun, Jang Hyun-Kyu, Lim In-Sung, Park Byung-Gyu, Seo Min-Gook, Seong Kyung-Il, Yoon Yeo-San, ?, ?, ?) ** 5 players from

formerly (

Hwang Ji-Yoon Hwang Ji-yoon (born May 28, 1983) is a South Korean footballer. He previously played for Jeju United FC, Bucheon SK, Daegu FC, Daejeon Citizen and Sangju Sangmu Gimcheon Sangmu FC (Hangul: 김천 상무 프로축구단; Hanja: 金泉尚� ...

Kwon Jip Kwon Jip (Hangul: 권집; born 13 February 1984) is a South Korean former footballer. He was involved in a match-fixing scandal and his football career was rescinded. Honors Club ;Suwon Bluwings * K-League (1): 2004 ;Jeonbuk Hyundai Motor ...

Lee Kyung-Hwan Lee Kyung-Hwan (March 21, 1988 – April 14, 2012) was a South Korean football player. He played for Daejeon Citizen Daejeon Hana Citizen Football Club (Korean 대전 하나 시티즌 축구단) is a South Korean professional football team ba ...

, Ou Kyoung-Jun, Park Jung-Hye) ** 5 players from

formerly ( Ahn Hyun-Sik, Do Hwa-Sung, Lee Jun-Young, Park Chang-Heon, ?) ** 4 players from

Daegu FC Daegu FC (Korean: 대구 FC) is a South Korean professional football club based in Daegu. The club was founded as a community club at the end of 2002, and made their K League 1 debut in 2003. Daegu has played mostly in the K League 1 but was re ...

formerly ( An Sung-Min, Jang Nam-Seok, Lee Sang-Duk, Oh Joo-Hyun or On Byung-Hoon) ** 3 players from

formerly ( Hong Seong-Yo, Kim Eung-Jin,

Lee Jung-Ho Lee Won-young (Hangul: 이원영; born 13 March 1981) is a South Korea footballer who plays for K4 League side Goyang KH. In 2013, he was renamed from Lee Jung-ho to Lee Won-young. He has played for formerly Pohang Steelers, Jeonbuk Hyunda ...

) ** 1 players from

formerly ( Baek Seung-Min) * football players were summarily indicted : ** 3 players from

formerly (

Cho Hyung-Ik Cho Hyung-Ik (Hangul: 조형익; born 13 September 1985) is a South Korean footballer who plays as winger or midfielder. Club career Cho Hyung-Ik was drafted from Myongji University in Yongin, just south of Seoul to Daegu FC for the 2008 seas ...

, Oh Joo-Hyun or On Byung-Hoon, Yang Seung-Won) On 12 July 2011,

's manager Lee Soo-Chul was arrested for accepting

bribes Bribery is the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official, or other person, in charge of a public or legal duty. With regard to governmental operations, essentially, bribery is "Corru ...

and

intimidation Intimidation is to "make timid or make fearful"; or to induce fear. This includes intentional behaviors of forcing another person to experience general discomfort such as humiliation, embarrassment, inferiority, limited freedom, etc and the victi ...

charges in 2010 season.

Imprisonment

On 29 August 2011, the Changwon division of Supreme Prosecutors' Office had sentenced thirty-nine retired & current footballers to imprisonment, and fines of 5 million won and as many as seven-years

jail sentence In law, a sentence is the punishment for a crime ordered by a trial court after conviction in a criminal procedure, normally at the conclusion of a trial. A sentence may consist of imprisonment, a fine, or other sanctions. Sentences for mul ...

. ;Imprisonment * Kim Kyung-Rok (broker) : 7 years of prison labor * A man surnamed Kim (broker) : 2 years of prison labor * Two financier : 2 years of prison labor each * Kim Myung-Hwan : 3 years and a half of prison labor and charged in addition fee (35 million won) *

: 3 years of prison labor and charged in addition fee (55 million won) * Choi Sung-Hyun (broker) : 3 years of prison labor *

: 3 years of prison labor * Park Sang-Wook : 2 years and a half of prison labor and charged in addition fee (36 million won) * Kim Ba-Woo : 2 years and a half of prison labor and charged in addition fee (40 million won) * Yang Jung-Min : 2 years and a half of prison labor and charged in addition fee (22 million won) * Kim Deok-Joong (broker) : 2 years and a half of prison labor * Kim Jung-Kyum : 2 years of prison labor and given 2 years probation *

: 2 years of prison labor and charged in addition fee (29 million won) *

: 2 years of prison labor and charged in addition fee (24 million won) * Sin Jun-Bae : 2 years of prison labor and charged in addition fee (18 million won) * Kwon Sang-Tae (broker) : 1 years and a half of prison labor, given 2 years probation and sentenced to 120 hours of community service *

: 1 years and a half of prison labor and charged in addition fee (23 million won) *

: 1 years and a half of prison labor and charged in addition fee (20 million won) * Park Ji-Yong : 1 years and a half of prison labor and charged in addition fee (14 million won) * Kang Gu-Nam : 1 years of prison labor and charged in addition fee (8 million won) * Do Hwa-Sung : 1 years of prison labor and charged in addition fee (5 million won) *

Jeon Kwang-Jin Jeon Kwang-jin (Hangul: 전광진; Hanja: 全光眞; born 30 June 1981) is a South Korean footballer. He played for Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, Gwangju Sangmu Bulsajo and Chinese Super League side Dalian Shide. Cheon transferred to Dalian Shide ...

(broker) : 1 years of prison labor * Kwak Chang-Hee : 10 months of prison labor, given 2 years probation, charged in addition fee (6.2 million won) and sentenced to 100 hours of community service ;be fined * Park Jung-Hye : imposed fine (7 million won) and charged in addition fee (7 million won) * Ou Kyoung-Jun : imposed fine (7 million won) and charged in addition fee (7 million won) *

: imposed fine (7 million won) and charged in addition fee (7 million won) * Sung Kyung-Il : imposed fine (5 million won) and charged in addition fee (3 million won) * Park Chang-Heon : imposed fine (5 million won) and charged in addition fee (3 million won) * Park Byung-Gyu : imposed fine (5 million won) and charged in addition fee (3 million won) * Lee Jung-Won : imposed fine (5 million won) and charged in addition fee (2 million won) * Lee Myeong-Cheol : imposed fine (5 million won) and charged in addition fee (1.5 million won)

References

{{Match fixing in association football Sports betting scandals 2011 in South Korean football Football in South Korea Scandals in South Korea 2011 scandals

Background

Affected football matches

First investigation

Penalties

Second investigation

Imprisonment

See also

References