THE contentious issue of hiring charges for local soccer matches at the Hong Kong Stadium is expected to be finalised after the Lunar New Year. Wembley International (HK) Limited, managers of the new Hong Kong Stadium and the Hong Kong Football Association, have agreed in principle to stage 10 matches at the 40,000-capacity stadium via a package deal. HKFA chairman Stewart Lee Leung-nang refused to disclose details of the arrangement, saying only that Wembley and the HKFA still have work to do on details of the agreement. ''We'll jointly announce any agreement that we come to. The hiring charges still have to be finalised although I expect everything should be sorted out after the Lunar New Year,'' said Lee. Lee said Wembley did not want too many First Division clubs using the stadium this year. He hinted that the HKFA's proposal of putting $1.5 million up front for 10 matches for the year should be accepted. Meanwhile, the HKFA have given permission for Kitchee to recruit one more overseas player to boost their line-up when they play the Hyundai Tigers from South Korea in next week's exhibition match. Kitchee have already recruited three South China players including Bosnian strikers Alen Bajkusa and Anto Grabo. They have also signed former Chinese international Ng Kwun-lap. Hyundai, one of South Korea's strongest clubs, meet Kitchee next Tuesday at the Mongkok Stadium.
