A second baseball club has been questioned in connection with a money scandal involving a retired umpire.
The Kia Tigers in the Korea Baseball Organization became the latest club to be embroiled in the scandal, in which a former umpire, surnamed Choi, had allegedly contacted multiple team officials for quick cash. The Tigers said two of their employees were recently questioned by prosecutors investigating the scandal.
Any financial transaction between umpires and club employees are strictly prohibited.
This undated file photo, provided by the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), shows the KBO`s headquarters in Seoul. (Yonhap)
In a statement released later Tuesday, the Tigers said two of their employees each wired 1 million won ($890) to Choi in 2012 and 2013.
"We apologize to fans of our club and professional baseball for our involvement in this unsavory incident connected to a former umpire," the Tigers said. "We feel a heavy burden of responsibility. We've begun disciplinary proceedings for the employees, and we'll do our best to prevent a recurrence of such misdeeds."
In July, Doosan Bears President Kim Seung-young resigned after admitting to have given 3 million won to Choi in October 2013. Kim denied any connection with match fixing or any expectation of reciprocity.
When media reports first began alleging illicit transactions between Choi and KBO clubs last year, the league office conducted its own investigation into the matter. At the time, the Tigers said they had no ties with the scandal.
A Kia official said Tuesday the club was not aware of any potential misdeed last year because the accused employees didn't inform the front office.
The Nexen Heroes, a third club, told the KBO that Choi approached them for cash but they never handed him any money. (Yonhap)
