Last-gasp own goal in Hong Kong club match under scrutiny
HKFA says there is 'sufficient evidence' to set up task force to investigate result of First Division game where Tuen Mun lost in stoppage time
Hong Kong Football Association vice-chairman Steven Lo Kit-sing is asking the association's board to look into the result of Sunday's First Division match after struggling Tuen Mun were beaten by an own goal in stoppage time.
The match, against Yokohama FC at Tang Shiu Kin Sports Ground, was heading for a 1-1 draw when, with just seconds left to play, Tuen Mun defender Li Ming, a second-half substitute, headed the ball into his own net.
Lo said the result had raised eyebrows, especially at a time when Hong Kong soccer is in the midst of setting up a fully professional Premier League next year.
"I wasn't at the match on Sunday but there has been a lot of discussion about that [late] goal," said Lo. "I am not saying there was any monkey business but I hope the board will look into it. All parties concerned should take this matter seriously as we are about to launch our professional league next year. We don't want a spanner in the works."
I am not saying there was any monkey business but I hope the board will look into it
It is believed senior management of the HKFA have also been alerted to Sunday's incident. Chief executive Mark Sutcliffe, who is on holiday in Britain, told the South China Morning Post by e-mail on Monday: "Yes, I have seen the incident. We are setting up an internal task force to investigate."
In a statement released on Monday night, Sutcliffe added: "We believe there is sufficient evidence to investigate the matter ... there will be no further statement until the internal task force has met."