The sports ministry recommended on Tuesday that the Korea Football Association(KFA) take strong disciplinary action against its executives following an audit of the governing body.

Following the monthslong audit, the ministry concluded that at least suspensions would be necessary for KFA President Chung Mong-gyu and two others involved in the controversial appointment of Hong Myung-bo as head coach of the men’s national football team. 

The others are KFA Vice President Kim Jeong-bae and Technical Director Lee Lim-saeng.

The ministry said it recommended a heavy penalty for Chung to hold him accountable for the improper pardoning of disciplined footballers and falsely applying for a subsidy to build a football facility in the central city of Cheonan.

Stressing that the vetting process for Hong was flawed, the ministry urged the KFA to address the issue, even if it means redoing the candidate recommendation and appointment process.

The ministry launched its audit of the KFA in late July following public backlash over alleged unfairness in the appointment of Hong, who at the time was head coach of K League 1’s Ulsan HD FC.