Occupy protests blamed for Toulouse-Racing Metro match being canned
Two top European clubs decide not to come to city over safety concerns and unavailability of playing venue
Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests have claimed a first sporting victim with next month's match between two top French clubs, Toulouse and Racing Metro, cancelled because of the overseas organisers' safety and stadium concerns.
The two top European clubs played here last year and were due to return next month, but the protests and problems finding a suitable venue led to the cancellation, according to Jean-Baptiste Aldige, who organised last year's match but has since sold his firm to French interests.
"The French organisers were worried about playing in Hong Kong. They were due to book the flights this week, but they didn't want to take the risk of coming to Hong Kong," said Aldige.
"I live in Hong Kong and for me these protests are not a big issue. I know it is safe here. But I am now just a logistics partner and all the organisational aspects are run by Team One France, which decided that coming to Hong Kong might put the players in some risk," he added.
Another factor was the unavailability of a suitable venue. Organisers wanted the match to be played at Hong Kong Football Club as part of a double-header alongside the Hong Kong national team.
The club turned down the request because the international would be free, while the French organisers would charge entry.