Hong Kong protests: calls for support for social movement when Hong Kong take on Iran in World Cup qualifiers
- Hong Kong will meet Asia’s top team at 40,000-seat So Kon Po venue on Tuesday
- Booing China national anthem likely to happen again after fans began the practice in 2015 in the previous World Cup qualifiers
Fans have called for support for the social movement when Hong Kong take on visitors Iran in their first 2022 World Cup qualifying home football match at So Kon Po on Tuesday.
Various posts in local forums have asked fans to sing an alternative version of the “Hong Kong national anthem” before the start of the match, kicking off at the 40,000-seat Hong Kong Stadium at 8pm, and to boo the China national anthem.
They also planned to perform a round-the-stadium human chain by holding hands during the interval, symbolising support for what protesters and students are doing in the city.
Fans have been asked to don the jerseys of the overseas clubs they support on their way to the match and march together from Causeway Bay MTR station to Hong Kong Stadium. At the stadium they would be asked to switch their shirts to those of a red colour, the official colour of the Hong Kong team, or put on the Hong Kong team jersey as a gesture of support.
Chairman of the Hong Kong Football Association Pui Kwan-kay said they were fully aware of the situation and asked the fans to comply with the rules and regulations set by the authorities.