EOC, consulate back Filipino fans over race abuse at Hong Kong soccer match

Outraged Filipino soccer fans subjected to racial abuse from Hong Kong supporters were backed by the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Philippines consulate yesterday.

A section of supporters yelled at Philippine fans that they were "all just slaves" during an international friendly at Mong Kok Stadium on Tuesday night.

They threw bottles at women and children and booed the country's national anthem.

When the Philippine players tried to celebrate with their fans after winning 1-0 they were abused and pelted with bottles and other objects.

The Hong Kong Football Association said it could not take action as it did not receive a complaint. But chief executive Mark Sutcliffe said: "Anybody found guilty of racial abuse will be banned from future matches."

The Equal Opportunities Commission called the incident "a form of racial discrimination and vilification". A spokesman said: "We are concerned the invective remarks may … be destructive to social harmony in our community."