Hong Kong Premier League down to six teams after Wofoo Tai Po withdraw due to financial problems
- Defending champions cite problems with sponsor as some players and staff wait for salaries
- One Tai Po coach resigns to lower club expenses
Defending Hong Kong Premier League champions Wofoo Tai Po have announced their withdrawal from the remainder of the season due to financial problems amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
“In response to the novel [Covid-19] epidemic, the sponsor [Party A] has failed to comply with the contract,” Tai Po said in an official statement on Friday.
The club cited article seven of its agreement with the sponsor, which said, “Party A promises; the year’s sponsorship is for the whole season, and will not stop or be delayed due to injections of funds. Agreeing for all staff and players’ salaries, Party A will provide funds until June 30 2020. Otherwise, Party A will be responsible for all legal and financial costs.
“Regulations show that there have been violations in the contract signed by both parties. As a result, the renumeration for some of the club could not be paid as scheduled,” the club continued.