Hong Kong’s domestic football season and plans to stage regional tournaments were thrown into disarray on Tuesday after the government extended social-distancing rules. The announcement means all football stadiums will remain shut until February 24 at the earliest, and four more matches slated for February 19 and 20 will need to be rescheduled. Already three rounds of 12 BOC Life Premier League matches, plus another nine Sapling Cup matches, and the FA Cup final between Eastern and Kitchee have been suspended. All football grounds were closed in early January when government tightened social-distancing measures in response to a renewed coronavirus outbreak in the city. “Even if the government decides to reopen the venues on February 25 which is highly unlikely under the current pandemic situation, we can’t resume the competitions immediately,” Pui Kwan-kay, the Football Association chairman, said. “We need to give the players ample training time so that they can get their body fit again for competitive matches after such a long break or they will be easily getting injured. No fans as Hong Kong football returns but two cups cancelled “This may take another two to three weeks before the season can restart. Under such circumstances, we don’t think the season can finish in time in May as scheduled.” The football chief said they would have to consider immediate measures, such as calling off the Sapling Cup to shorten the season, or playing all matches behind closed doors, as they have in the previous two seasons under the pandemic. “The problem is no one knows when the government will reopen the venues and playing behind closed door will be a big hit to professional clubs as they rely on gate receipt and need promotion among the fans,” Pui said. “But it seems this is going to be the way under the current situation and we will have to discuss it with the clubs before we come to any decision.” Pui was also concerned that two regional club competitions would be affected, with champions Kitchee expected to play in the AFC Champion’s League group stage in April, when Lee Man will also feature in the AFC Cup play off for the group stage. The main round will start in May with another Hong Kong side, Eastern, in the group. Reopen government facilities so football season can resume: HKFA “There may a chance the group stage of the two regional cup events will play under a tournament format in one designated city and we have already planned to bid the two regional events to stage in Hong Kong under a safety bubble. All the safety protocols have been prepared by our medical adviser but again the current pandemic situation puts everything in doubt,” Pui said. “The players will need to be at top form against their Asian counterparts in the regional competitions and if they can’t get back to competitions in time, their chances will be affected.” Hong Kong will begin their 2023 Asian Cup qualifiers in June and the draw will be made later this month. This will be the first major challenge for newly appointed head coach Jorn Andersen. The Norwegian will have to guide Hong Kong to the top of one of the six groups or ensure his side are one of the five best second runners-up to make it to the finals in China next year. “He has to assemble a team for the tournament and needs to check the players’ form and condition before naming the squad and building up for the qualifiers,” Pui said. “We hope we can resume competitions as soon as possible so that he can start his job properly.”