Security stepped up amid fears of crowd trouble as China’s Guangzhou Evergrande fans venture to Hong Kong for AFC Champions League clash

City officials will implement additional security measures for the meeting with Chinese club amid concerns Chinese fans have purchased tickets for areas restricted for home supporters

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Fans of Eastern during the AFC Champions League match against Suwon Bluewings at Mong Kok Stadium last month. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 11:08am, 25 Apr 2017Updated: 11:09am, 25 Apr 2017

Hong Kong officials will implement additional security measures for Eastern’s Asian Champions League meeting with Guangzhou Evergrande on Tuesday evening amid concerns Chinese fans have purchased tickets for areas restricted for home supporters.

The Hong Kong champions take on the Chinese Super League winners, who are coached by Fifa World Cup winner Luiz Felipe Scolari, at Mongkok Stadium. Local supporters are being asked to produce identity cards before being admitted.

Organisers are concerned that supporters from China have purchased tickets outside the area designated for Guangzhou’s travelling support. They issued a statement on Monday evening advising home fans that a valid Hong Kong identity card was required along with their tickets to gain access to seating.

Guangzhou Evergrande supporters at the AFC Champions League group match against Kawasaki Frontale in Kawasaki. Photo: EPA

All 5,800 tickets for the game have been sold, with Guangzhou allocated just 350 in accordance with tournament regulations.

Hong Kong officials have been sensitive to any prospect of trouble at sporting events featuring Chinese teams since street protests brought parts of the city to a halt in late 2014.