South Korea Accuses Sweden of Spygate Tactics at World Cup

Swedish scouts were spying on South Korean practice sessions before their match.

Viktor Claesson of Sweden and Kim Min-Woo of Korea Republic battle for the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group F match between Sweden and Korea Republic at Nizhniy Novgorod Stadium on June 18, 2018 in Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia.  (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Viktor Claesson of Sweden and Kim Min-Woo of Korea Republic battle for the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group F match between Sweden and Korea Republic at Nizhniy Novgorod Stadium on June 18, 2018 in Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Before their match on Monday, South Korea accused Sweden of engaging in some tactics that come straight out of the football handbook – NFL football that is.

According to South Korea manager Shin Tae-yong, Swedish scouts were spying on their opponents’ practice sessions in Austria in advance of the two squads playing at the World Cup.

In order to confuse the spies, who camped in a house and used a high-performance telescope and video camera to watch the sessions, Shin had his players switch jerseys, Reuters reported.

“We switched them around because we didn’t want to show everything and to try and confuse them,” Shin said. “They might know a few of our players but it is very difficult for Westerners to distinguish between Asians and that’s why we did it.”

Before the match, Swedish head coach Janne Andersson issued an apology for the spying.

No matter which team wins Monday, it will be difficult for South Korea or Sweden to advance as the other teams in Group F are Germany and Mexico.

Win the Ultimate Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix Experience

Want the F1 experience of a lifetime? Here’s your chance to win tickets to see Turn 18 Grandstand, one of Ultimate Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix’s most premier grandstands!