Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup could be reduced to one leg as protests scare away mainlanders
- The Interport Cup, which first began in 1979, is in danger of becoming a straight final in Guangzhou because of the ongoing protests
- Hong Kong FA is keen to keep its traditional home-and-away format but Guangdong are reluctant to send team to city
The annual Guangdong-Hong Kong Cup could be played over just one leg for the first time in its 40-year history because of concerns over the social unrest still plaguing the city.
The Interport Cup was first played over two legs in 1979 and has been held annually ever since but it’s now in danger of being a one-leg match after mainland authorities told the Hong Kong Football Association they were reluctant to send a team across the border because of the ongoing protests now entering its seventh month.
The popular competition usually takes place in late December and then early in the new year in a two-leg, home-and-away format but it is likely to be a straight up final in Guangzhou this time around.
Hong Kong Football Association chairman Pui Kwan-kay said his organisation was negotiating with Guangdong to try to keep the tournament in its traditional format.
“We understand their [Guangdong] concerns after they watched it [the protests] on TV and were exposed to some terrible scenes,” said the football chief. “They have to put their players’ safety first and may choose not to come to Hong Kong.