State-run broadcaster KBS announced Monday that it delivered an official apology to the Federation of International Football Association for breaching security regulations.

“We were not issued enough number of AD cards,” a KBS spokesperson told reporters here. “We have offered an apology to FIFA.”

“We will try to get more AD cards in the future,” the spokesperson added.

The disgrace came after a KBS correspondent in Brazil was found to have unlawfully passed down his AD pass to let an unauthorized press crew into the World Cup stadium to cover the Korea-Algeria game.

According to FIFA’s regulation, the AD pass is a requirement for all press that cover the global soccer event and cannot be freely passed on to another user.

The KBS reporter was immediately arrested by local police and will face an investigation and criticism at home. 

Similarly, Noh Hong-chul, one of the emcees for MBC variety show “Infinite Challenge,” stirred up controversy as the show revealed he borrowed a special pass from MBC announcer Lee Jae-eun to gain access to the pitch side of the soccer field.

“We have nothing to do with the AD card mishap,” MBC told reporters as it faced massive criticism from its viewership. 

“Both Noh Hong-chul and Lee Jae-eun had the AD pass and the field pass and therefore could enter the soccer field,” the broadcaster said, trying to excuse itself from public accusations that its employees knowingly tried to share the special pass.

By Chung Joo-won (joowonc@heraldcorp.com)