HKFA chief Mark Sutcliffe admits Premier League may be put on backburner again
New HKFA chief executive admits plan might not be in place in time for next season
Hong Kong's proposed new Premier League may be put off for another season, new HK Football Association chief executive Mark Sutcliffe revealed as he chaired his first board meeting yesterday.
Project Phoenix, the government initiative to revive local soccer, planned for the Premier League to be in place this season, but that didn't materialise following the sudden departure of Sutcliffe's predecessor Gordon McKie in May.
The First Division clubs have agreed to start the new 12-team professional league next season, but Sutcliffe revealed it may have to be postponed again.
"There is a long way to go and we need discussions with the First Division clubs over the next couple of weeks to get their views if this is achievable to do it in one season," said the new boss, who took office this week.
"Project Phoenix is the blueprint that we need to work towards as it has been approved by the board and government funding is based on it. But we also need to be flexible enough to change direction as long as there is the board approval for that change and there is a reason for it."
The new boss emphasised that his priority remained to strengthen the professional game, but did not want to commit himself at the moment.