Fears over new rule that could discourage foreign soccer stars joining Hong Kong clubs
The Football Association wants to mirror the AFC and Fifa definitions with only Hong Kong passport holders considered as a prerequisite to becoming local players starting from July 1
Foreign players in Hong Kong will find it tougher to become a “local player” starting on July 1 following a new rule that will be implemented by the Football Association.
Expat players will now need to hold a Hong Kong passport and give up their own nationality because the “Chinese government does not recognise dual nationality”.
It means that overseas players who have spent seven years residing in Hong Kong would not be able to change their status and become a local player as before.
“The board and the clubs wanted to mirror the Asian Football Confederation and Fifa definitions and decided that in order to be defined as a ‘local’ player, a person must be eligible to represent Hong Kong,” said association chief executive Mark Sutcliffe.
“As you know, the prerequisite to represent Hong Kong in international competitions is a passport as the benchmark and not ‘nationality’. Obviously, there is a subtle difference.”