Hong Kong Premier League to scrap relegation from top flight, as it looks to increase number of teams
- First Division clubs Wofoo Tai Po and Sham Shui Po moving up as top league expands to 10 teams
- Tai Po only have one third of HK$18 million they had when they became league champions in 2019
Hong Kong football bosses agreed to scrap relegation from the city’s top flight next season, as they welcomed two newcomers, Wofoo Tai Po and Sham Shui Po, to the Premier League.
Pui Kwan-kay, chairman of the Hong Kong Football Association, said the two First Division clubs had agreed in principle to move up, bringing the number of teams in the league to 10 for the new season, which is expected to kick-off in August.
However, while Tai Po are believed to have their house in order financially, Pui said Sham Shui Po were still working on overcoming the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Tai Po should have little problem as they have already sorted out the financial aspect, while Sham Shui Po still need some more time but are working hard to solve it,” he said.
“It’s not easy these days as the Hong Kong economy has been adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic over the last couple of years and hopeful they can work it out as soon as possible.”
The two clubs had been given to the end of May to decide if they wanted to play in the top tier competition.
Tai Po were leading the First Division before the season was abruptly suspended in January because of Covid-19, while Sham Shui Po were sixth. To safeguard the newcomers’ immediate future, the FA have said there will be no relegation in the coming season.