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Jonathan White

The Guangzhou-based Hong Kong Premier League side R&F are reported to have pulled out of the upcoming 2020/21 season, which begins later this month.
Rumours of the club leaving the city’s top flight began circulating on Monday, a day after the club played the final game of the 2019/20 season.
Going into the final day R&F, who had led the league for much of the season, could have still lifted a first HKPL title but needed to beat Eastern at Hong Kong Stadium while hoping bottom side Happy Valley beat Kitchee at Mong Kok Stadium.
Kitchee won 4-0 to finish as champions for a fourth time in six seasons after a goalless draw at So Kon Po ended both Eastern and R&F hopes.

It had been reported that R&F would play all their games in Hong Kong for the new season as part of the HKPL and Hong Kong Football Association’s coronavirus pandemic control measures.
Since their first season in the HKPL in 2016/17 when they played in the city, R&F had played their home games and trained in Guangzhou.
Heartbreak for Eastern and R&F in HKPL final day drama
The free-spending side, which is the sister club of Chinese Super League team Guangzhou R&F, is owned by the eponymous real estate giant. HK01 reported that R&F had spent more than HK$50 million in the last two seasons and more than HK$100 million since they were founded.
They failed to win a trophy during that time, despite signing some of the highest performing players in the league, including last year’s MVP Igor Sartori.
The club was reported to be the highest paying in the HKPL and their demise will be felt by a number of Hong Kong internationals and some of the league’s star players.
R&F keep slim title hopes alive with win over Lee Man
R&F missed out on both the league and the FA Cup this season, finishing runners-up to Eastern in the final last month and ending up third in the league. They finished second in the league last season.
The AFC had ruled that the side could represent Hong Kong in continental competitions from next season – providing their sister side did not qualify from the Chinese Super League – but in the end both missed out.
The side had threatened to pull out of the HKPL before and in July they asked their fellow clubs to end the season early and form a company akin to the English Premier League to run it.
AFC says R&F can represent Hong Kong if they win league
There was also confusion over the eligibility of signings made during the pandemic-enforced pause to the season, while their fellow Hong Kong sides decided against giving them voting membership last September.
It is reported that the players were sent messages of the club’s intentions on Monday, the day after coach Yeung Ching-kwong had said they would begin preparations for the new season. A statement was expected from the club in due course.
Only six of the 10 HKPL sides finished the season and once R&F’s departure is confirmed the new season could feature only eight teams.


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Hong Kong Premier League

Guangzhou-based R&F pull out of Hong Kong Premier League: reports

Hong Kong Premier League side R&F pose before taking on Lee Man at Mong Kok Stadium. Photo: HKFA

Premier soccer league club R&F start their first practice session at Tseung Kwan O Training Centre in preparation for the remaining season when it resumes in August.

Kitchee crowned Hong Kong Premier League champions after thrashing Happy Valley 4-0 on dramatic final day

Kitchee players celebrate after being crowned 2020 Hong Kong Premier League champions, their 10th league title in the top tier and third in the past four seasons. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Wellingsson de Souza scores a hat-trick for Kitchee in the crucial match against Happy Valley. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Kitchee boss Ken Ng Kin greets the players after the victory. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Kitchee manager Chu Chi-kwong talks about their victory. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Hong Kong Premier League: Eastern and R&F miss out on title in final day drama

Eastern's Lucas tries to escape the attentions of his R&F rivals in the Hong Kong Premier League title decider at Hong Kong Stadium. Photo: HKFA

Eastern pose before the match against R&F at Hong Kong Stadium. Photo: HKFA

Hong Kong Premier League: Eastern, Kitchee and R&F can lift title on final day of 2019-20 season

Eastern Long Lions celebrate winning the 2019-20 Senior Shield at Mong Kok Stadium. Photo: HKFA

Eastern celebrate their Hong Kong FA Cup final win against R&F at Hong Kong Stadium. 28SEP20 Photo: SCMP / Chan Kin-wa

Eastern close in on a treble-winning season after routing Happy Valley 4-0

Eastern forward Sandro’s shot is just wide of the target during their impressive 4-0 victory against Happy Valley at Mong Kok Stadium. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Eastern striker Lucas da Silva always danger up front with a brace against Happy Valley. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Eastern fans weave for their team. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

R&F keep slim Hong Kong Premier League title hopes alive with win over Lee Man

Jordan Lam on the ball for R&F in the Hong Kong Premier League game against Lee Man. Photo: HKFA

Sport

Football

Hong Kong


Big-spending club fail to win a trophy in four seasons in HKPL, with latest disappointment coming in last game of 2019/20 on Sunday
Guangzhou-based outfit threatened to pull out before but reports come as a shock



Big spending R&F fail to win a trophy in four seasons in HKPL, with latest disappointment coming in last game of 2019/20 on Sunday.


The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Chinese Super League