Hong Kong football CEO Joaquin Tam ends controversial tenure
- Tam became the chief executive of Hong Kong’s football association in May 2021 and has had to deal with a number of controversial issues
- His departure was confirmed after a meeting at the association, with his duties taken over by referees chief Charles Cheung
The chief executive of the Hong Kong Football Association has left his role, the sport’s governing body confirmed on Thursday, with sources having told the Post he was fired after a series of controversial issues during his tenure.
The HKFA’s statement confirmed Joaquin Tam Chau-long would leave in August, after more than three years at the helm, but his duties as CEO would end immediately.
“The [HKFA] announces that the board of directors has accepted the resignation of chief executive officer Joaquin Tam Chau-long, and his employment terms will conclude in late August this year,” a spokesman for the association said.
“Effective immediately, the duties of the chief executive officer will be assumed by deputy secretary general and head of refereeing Charles Cheung Yim-yau until a suitable replacement is appointed. The association sincerely thanks Joaquin Tam for his service to the association over the past three years.”
Tam’s departure was confirmed at a board meeting at the association’s office in Kowloon on Wednesday. (According to Tam, he tendered his resignation to HKFA during the morning on 22 May 2024 which was accepted by HKFA later that same day and his last date of employment with HKFA was 21 August 2024.)
However, sources with knowledge of the situation told the Post that Tam was fired at the meeting on Wednesday by HKFA chairman Eric Fok Kai-shan.