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.
