Hong Kong Premier League returns without fans, HKFA Senior Shield and FA Cup cancelled

Games to restart with Sapling Cup on February 20 as supporters banned from stadiums once more

HKFA Senior Shield, FA Cup and Reserve Division league called off as Covid-19 causes chaos with calendar

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Eastern goalkeeper Yapp Hung-fai stops Kitchee striker Nikola Komazec, with Eastern central defender Clayton Afonso watching on in the Hong Kong Premier League match at Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Published: 12:07pm, 13 Feb 2021Updated: 1:30pm, 13 Feb 2021

Football will resume this week for Hong Kong Premier League teams after more than two months, the Hong Kong Football Association announced on Friday, but fans are banned and two of the three cup competitions have been cancelled.

Four Leisure and Cultural Services Department venues – Mong Kok Stadium, Hong Kong Stadium, Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground and Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground – have been given the go ahead to stage matches, beginning with four Sapling Cup games on February 20.

The HKPL will resume in due course, with details to follow, although Tseung Kwan O will not host matches until March 7 as it undergoes urgent repair work.

Games will take place without fans once again as football returns to playing behind closed doors. Fans had been allowed to return in November before restrictions banned them.

“In order to ensure the implement of hygiene measures and social distancing, matches will be resumed behind closed door,” the HKFA said in a statement.

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