soccer local

THE lack of a big soccer stadium is costing the Hongkong FA dearly this season.

Gate receipts so far this season come to only $9 million, down $3 million compared to the same stage last season.

However, the Royal Hongkong Jockey Club have said that they will compensate the FA for most of the losses.

The closure of the Hongkong Stadium, which is undergoing a $850 million facelift, is the main reason for the lower receipts.

The FA have had to make do with Mongkok Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 8,500, while the Hongkong Stadium had a 28,000 capacity before being closed for a two-year redevelopment.

The number of spectators attending matches up to the end of February was 200,000, compared to 350,000 at this stage last year. Average attendances are down to 2,600, from 4,000.