Hong Kong FA receives official complaint over football manager’s sexist post-match comments about woman referee

HKFA to handle complaint via its disciplinary committee; manager Pau may face fine or touchline ban

Happy Valley release statement of apology in which it agreed Pau’s ‘pinpointing’ of specific groups was ‘unnecessary’

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Happy Valley manager Pau Ka-yiu at a team training session in Kowloon Bay Park. Photo: Hong Kong Football Association

Published: 2:55pm, 23 Mar 2021Updated: 2:55pm, 23 Mar 2021

The Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) confirmed it has received an official complaint in relation to Happy Valley manager Pau Ka-yiu’s post-match comments about the Hong Kong Premier League’s most prominent female referee.

Following his side’s 1-0 loss to Tin Shui Wai Pegasus on Sunday, Pau claimed Fifa-accredited match official Gigi Law Bik-chi was not fit enough to “keep up with the whole match”, lamenting several missed calls on the pitch and urging the HKFA to not assign her – or “any women referees” – in their future matches.

It is believe that the case will now be handled by the HKFA’s disciplinary committee. If Pau is found guilty, he is likely to be fined or given a temporary touchline ban. It is unclear whether and how the allegations over sexism will play a part in the committee’s decision.

Happy Valley released a statement of apology on social media on Monday night having held talks with manager Pau. Pau had qualified his original statements by saying he was “not being sexist”.

“Over the weekend, Happy Valley Football Club played Tin Shui Wai Pegasus and head coach Pau Ka-yiu was asked by media for comments about the standard of refereeing. Having discussed with coach Pau, club management agreed that the wording of his remarks was inappropriate. Even if they were in response to the referee’s performance, pinpointing any specific group was unnecessary,” the post read.