Amateur side Hong Kong Football Club are likely to decline an invitation to stay in the First Division, which is to turn professional next season, according to club chairman Alistair Macleod.
Club, who finished last in the senior division last season, will be retained by the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) in today's management committee meeting after the top two Second Division clubs - Tung Po and Kui Tan - turned down promotion.
According to the HKFA rules, Fire Services, third in the Second Division, and Frankwell, who finished ninth in the elite league, will have priority when it comes to who is promoted.
However, both clubs yesterday clearly stated that they would not accept the invitation.
The offer will then fall to Club, but Macleod said it was unlikely that they would accept.
'If the HKFA insists Club have to become professional next season, we will not stay in the First Division - unless Club's policy changes and allows us to turn pro,' said Macleod.
