It's not just referees who need guidance
HKFA's efforts to get everyone reading off the same page requires a more inclusive approach to be truly effective
Referees are often the butt of jokes through no fault of their own, but in Thailand they have only themselves to blame after spending their preseason swearing oaths to the Emerald Buddha to help clear match-fixing allegations.
Apparently the powerful green giant will keep referees on the straight and narrow. In case this fails, the Football Association of Thailand has also forced referees to take lie-detector tests.
Would similar measures work for Hong Kong soccer? Could paying homage to the Big Buddha on Lantau help end match-fixing?
It would make sense for authorities to promote ethical standards for all involved in the game, which includes club owners, team officials and players
Joking aside, when tackling corruption why do authorities and the media always seem to focus on referees?
Last season two top-tier Hong Kong clubs - Happy Valley and Tuen Mun - were suspended following match-fixing allegations.
In recent years, Hong Kong players have been charged with fixing games and handed life bans, whereas referees have never been implicated or charged.
Rather than focus only on referees, it would make sense for authorities to promote ethical standards for all involved in the game, which includes club owners, team officials and players.
The push for professionalism in the new Premier League means clubs must become more transparent in the management of their operations and business dealings.