Fifa demands answers from Hong Kong after misconduct during World Cup qualifier
HKFA faces "potentially damaging situation" in light of fan throwing lemon tea at Qatar player and booing Chinese anthem
Soccer boss Brian Leung Hung-tak is hoping the Hong Kong Football Association's "sincere efforts" to curb fan misconduct will result, at worst, in a light punishment from Fifa after a lemon-tea throwing incident in a World Cup qualifier came to light yesterday.
The Hong Kong Football Association is facing a “potentially damaging situation” after it emerged a fan threw an object at a Qatar player during the World Cup qualifier at Mong Kok Stadium last week.
The HKFA is already trying to limit the damage of another case of fans booing the Chinese national anthem before the game, which Hong Kong lost 3-2 on Tuesday, September 8.
The HKFA has received correspondence from Fifa announcing that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the HKFA
“It is regrettable that despite continuous pleas for fans to behave themselves, it appears that the behaviour of a small minority of fans has placed the HKFA in this potentially damaging situation,” said chief executive Mark Sutcliffe on Friday.
“The HKFA has received correspondence from Fifa announcing that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the HKFA in relation to incidents that took place during the recent Hong Kong v Qatar match.
“The first incident referred to concerns one of the Hong Kong fans throwing a small box [a paper tetra pack 250ml with lemon tea] on to the field of play aimed deliberately at player number 10 of Qatar.
“The second incident is the booing of the Hong Kong national anthem by some of the Hong Kong fans,” Sutcliffe said.