Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3031620/hong-kong-protests-bring-local-football-its-knees-fa-postpones-all
Sport/ Hong Kong

Hong Kong protests bring local football to its knees as FA postpones all weekend matches

  • Kitchee’s match against Kwoon Chung Southern on Friday is the first to be affected amid continuing social unrest in Hong Kong
  • HKFA chairman Pui Kwan-kay fears more fixtures will be postponed if the situation fails to improve
HKFA chairman Pui Kwan-kay fears more matches may have to be postponed if the situation does not improve. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

The Hong Kong Football Association has postponed all their local fixtures this weekend – from junior divisions up to the Premier League – from Friday to Sunday because of the continuing social unrest in the city.

In a statement issued on Friday, three hours before Kitchee were to kick off against Kwoon Chung Southern at Mong Kok Stadium, the association said: “All matches which will be held from October 4-6, including Hong Kong Premier League, First, Second, Third Divisions, and also the Youth League matches, will be rescheduled to minimise the possible impacts brought to the audience by unforeseeable transportation arrangement near the venues. The details of the rescheduled fixtures will be announced in due course.”

The Friday night game, scheduled for 8pm, was crucial to the two sides, both of whom are in the title mix. Southern  are second in the table with five points while Kitchee are one point behind in third place. The venue  is near Mong Kok police station, which has been the scene of protest trouble over the past month.

“We have considered the recent situation in Hong Kong and would rather postpone all these matches for safety reasons for the players, officials and fans,” association chairman Pui Kwan-kay said. “It may cause some problems for the fans who plan to watch the Friday night game but the situation has changed quickly and we have tried our best to minimise any inconvenience to the fans.”

Pui said he hoped the situation would improve or the body may be forced to postpone more matches.

“There will be some difficulty in rescheduling too many games but fortunately there will be an international break coming with no more local fixtures after Sunday. We hope the situation can be resolved sooner or later,” he said.

Fans chant slogans during a Premier League match between Kitchee and Yuen Long on September 14. Photo: Felix Wong
Fans chant slogans during a Premier League match between Kitchee and Yuen Long on September 14. Photo: Felix Wong

The next Premier League fixture will be between Wofoo Tai Po and Kitchee on October 19 while R&F’s game at home to Yuen Long at Yanzigang Stadium in Guangzhou should not be affected.

The protests have forced the association to postpone a number of matches, including the Jockey Club Community Cup between champions Wofoo Tai Po and FA Cup winners Kitchee. The international friendly between Hong Kong and visitors Malaysia slated for October 15 was also cancelled after the Malaysian Football Association said they were unable to send their team to Hong Kong.