The Hong Kong Football Association is hoping to bring fans back to the stadiums when the new season kicks off in October, providing pandemic restrictions allow. At a Premier League club meeting on Tuesday, teams also agreed to ask the government for financial help as domestic football has been hard hit since early this year. “We are running professional football, but like many other businesses in Hong Kong, clubs have been suffering since the pandemic outbreak,” said association chairman Pui Kwan-kay. “We hope the government can give us a hand in this difficult situation, and allowing spectators back in the stadiums can definitely help. “We are not asking for reopening all matches to the fans immediately when the new season begins, but rather on a gradual process. We understand this depends on the pandemic development in the city, but we sincerely hope the government can consider it.” Pui said they had also proposed to the government that they relax some of their hygiene measures when the new season starts on October 24, including lifting the “home quarantine” for all players and team officials, although they would still be required to take temperatures on a daily basis and report any irregularities. A letter has been sent to the government’s Home Affairs Bureau stating their request, including financial support in ground-hiring charges, Covid-19 testing fees and broadcasting fees. Hong Kong Premier League restarts with Eastern beating Kitchee The clubs, meanwhile, agreed there would be no change to the kick-off date for the new season, but teams who haven’t taken part in the resumption of the current season will be allowed to start at a later stage. Pegasus, BC Rangers and newly promoted Resources Capital will start in mid-November as they are still waiting for clearance of their foreign players, while Happy Valley, one of the six teams still with games to play this season, have also faced similar problems with their new arrivals and want a later start date. “The plan is to start with the fixtures of the five teams that are playing in this remaining season as most of their players are ready,” said Pui. “Also, we will start the new season with some Sapling Cup matches first as the cup tournament relies less on foreign players.” Football chief urges government to reopen facilities in support of HKPL Kitchee, R&F, Kwoon Chung Southern, Eastern Long Lions, Lee Man and Happy Valley are still playing in the current season that has been suspended twice since January because of the coronavirus. Pegasus and BC Rangers chose not to join but will start in the 2020-21 season, which also includes Resources Capital, the leading team in the First Division before it was suspended in January.