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Unus Alladin

Happy Valley officials were in shock last night after being read the riot act for walking out during a First Division match against Sun Hei.

 The champions abandoned the championship phase match at Mongkok Stadium last Tuesday in protest after Sun Hei defender Gary McKeown scored a late equaliser to make it 2-2, even though the goal was first ruled offside by a linesman.

 The extraordinary management committee of the Hong Kong Football Association handed down one of the most severe punishments meted out to a club. Happy Valley were handed six forms of punishment that becomes effective at 12pm today.

 They are: Sun Hei win the game 3-0 and are given three points.

Happy Valley are docked three points in the championship phase.

Happy Valley incur full expenses for the game, such as advertisements, stadium rental, hiring of staff etc.

Happy Valley are to be fined $10,000.

Happy Valley to be banned from all Asian competitions, such as the Asian Club Championship or Asian Cup Winners' Championship for this season and for next season.

Six Happy Valley officials to face further disciplinary action.

 The punishment also means South China win the championship or second phase. Happy Valley are still in the Grand Final having won the first phase.

 Hong Kong FA general secretary Jackson Yu said Happy Valley must take full responsibility. 'They pulled out of the game so they must bear the consequences,' said Yu.

 Happy Valley executive director Leung Chi-ming said his club would definitely appeal. 'We're not happy with the way the Hong Kong FA has handled the case. We'll definitely appeal and we have two weeks to do it.'   Happy Valley are likely to be hardest hit by the Asian ban. It will mean that even though they may retain their league title, they won't be able to play in Asian competition until the end of 2001 - a severe blow to their hopes of making an impact in Asia.

Unus Alladin 



Happy Valley hit with six punishments for abandoning game