Fixing claims have forever tainted Hong Kong soccer
No matter the results of investigations into alleged match-fixing, the spectre of suspicion will be impossible to remove
Derek Currie was happy and sad last week. The former legend of the local game was celebrating his mum's 100th birthday in Glasgow - she received a signed birthday card from the Queen - when he heard the news that Eusebio had died.
Currie, fondly known as "Jesus" by the Hong Kong public for his long flowing locks, played against the Portugal great when he and Benfica made a visit to town in 1973. Benfica had hammered the Hong Kong national team 11-0 and Currie watched the game as a guest commentator for RTHK.
Asked by his fellow commentator what he would do a few days later when he would lead a League XI to meet Eusebio and his band of magicians, Currie replied "I'm heading for Kai Tak to catch the first flight out of Hong Kong". Of, course, he was only joking.
It was perhaps more than a coincidence that both clubs were sponsored by mainland interests
Currie and the local League XI were 3-0 down at half-time, but ended the match 3-1 with "Jesus" scoring the only goal against the Portuguese giants. Currie was elated at having played against Eusebio, whom he rated as "arguably one of the greatest forwards ever, alongside Pele".
His death plunged world football into mourning. It was a black and mournful week in Hong Kong too, but for a different reason with two clubs in the top flight coming under the scrutiny of the ICAC for match-fixing.
Tuen Mun and Happy Valley were both suspected of fixing the results of games. In scenes straight out of a Hollywood script, the graft-busters swooped on a Happy Valley game and marched more than 10 people, including players and officials, into custody.
Earlier, Tuen Mun deregistered 11 players following a 2-1 loss to Yokohama FC on December 22 where one of their own defenders, Li Ming, headed the ball into his own net.
It was perhaps more than a coincidence that both clubs were sponsored by mainland interests. This troubling fact has once again highlighted the blight of match-fixing and corruption that lies beneath the surface in Chinese football.