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SCMP Reporter

The Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) said there would be no special treatment for its vice-president Albert Hung Cho-hong, who has been accused by a referee of storming on to the pitch during a stormy First Division League match last Thursday.

 But South China midfielder Shum Kwok-pui is likely to escape punishment, despite being seen elbowing Rangers' midfielder Chu Siu-kei in the face in the same match at Mongkok Stadium, which ended in a 2-0 win to Rangers.

 Shum's action could be seen clearly on television replays but he was not booked by the referee.

 Four players - South China's Yau Kin-wai, Lee Kin-wo and Cristiano Cordeiro and Rangers' Stuart McLaren were sent off.

 Hung, who is also the South China chairman, and other club officials sprinted on to the pitch to remonstrate with referee Lam Hon-chung after Lee and Cordeiro were expelled in the 43rd and 44th minutes.

 The incident was recorded in referee Lam's post-match report but only Hung's name was mentioned.

 Hung now faces a minimum six-month touchline ban if he is found guilty at the HKFA disciplinary committee meeting on October 26.

 'The HKFA will handle the case according to the rules. There will be no special treatment for any one,' said HKFA chairman Victor Hui Chun-fui yesterday.

 'We will review the video tape and I believe the disciplinary committee will make the right decision.'  HKFA general secretary Jackson Yu added that any ban would not affect Hung's job with the HKFA and South China.

 South China are awaiting official notification from the HKFA before they decide if they will request leniency for Hung.

 Yu said there was nothing in the rule-book that allows the referee to book Shum after he had reviewed the video.

 Referee Lam consulted with the linesman after a protest by Rangers defender Gerald Ambassa, who complained that Chu had been elbowed in the face by a South China player as play was about to resume following Lee's dismissal.

 Referee Lam then went over to Cordeiro and gave him his marching orders.

 'Even if the referee has sent off the wrong player, he cannot correct it afterwards,' said Yu.

 It is a difficult time for the Caroliners, whose players and officials have been involved in a string of sendings-off and controversial incidents so far this season. Five players have been so far sent off in as many matches. Veteran Ku Kam-fai was handed a six-month ban on Monday night for entering the referees' locker room after his team's league game against Yee Hope on September 17.

 Right-back Yau Kin-wai has also been warned by the club for exchanging heated words with Happy Valley's Michael Midwood towards the end of last Sunday's Senior Shield semi-final. The argument continued outside the changing rooms and both players had to be separated by teammates.

 'We are going through difficult times but the problems are not going to stop us from achieving good results this season,' said South China team adviser Peter Leung Shou-chi.

 To fill Ku's void, the Caroliners have signed Brazilian Jose Ricardo Rambo, who started training yesterday.

More soccer - Page 29 



No special favours for South China boss, says FA