Hong Kong fans may be shut out of World Cup qualifiers if booing of national anthem continues
World governing soccer body Fifa warns games could be played behind closed doors if 'improper conduct' among spectators is not reined in
Fans risk being locked out of the much awaited World Cup soccer qualifying match between Hong Kong and China in November if they again boo the national anthem, March Of The Volunteers.
A stern warning letter from the Fifa Disciplinary Committee has been sent to the Hong Kong Football Association after the world governing body reacted to home fans booing the national anthem at matches against Bhutan and the Maldives in qualifiers last month.
We appeal to fans to not commit the same actions in our next home match against Qatar in September, or the result could be very serious
The March Of The Volunteers has been Hong Kong's national anthem since the handover to China in 1997.
"Fifa has taken this very seriously and we appeal to fans to not commit the same actions in our next home match against Qatar in September, or the result could be very serious," said association chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak yesterday. "We are responsible for the behaviour of fans and there is nothing we can do if Fifa decides to impose sanctions."
According to article 67 of the Fifa disciplinary code, the home association is liable for improper conduct among spectators, regardless of the question of culpable conduct or culpable oversight, and depending on the situation, may be fined, with further sanctions to be imposed in the case of serious disturbances.
