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YFCMD thrown a Premier League lifeline with potential sponsorship

Premier League side had been set to lose funding from Japanese parent club

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YFCMD, in action here against Kitchee, may be saved at the eleventh hour. Photo: Jonathan Wong
A meeting between Hong Kong Premier League club YFCMD and the Football Association today could ease captain Leung Kwun-chung's worries over the team's future.
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YFCMD are the only one of eight Premier League clubs that did not apply for a licence for next season after applications closed last month. It was said their major financier - Yokohama FC from Japan, would discontinue its backing after three seasons.

I don't know what will happen if YFCMD cease to exist. I am still young and need more playing opportunities
Leung Kwun-chung

There is likely to be nine teams in the Premier League next season, including two sides promoted from First Division - Sun Source and Southern.

But things took a dramatic turn yesterday following speculation that an eleventh hour sponsor had been found for YFCMD.

"We will have a meeting with the club," said FA chief executive Mark Sutcliffe yesterday. "Our club licensing officials mentioned changes that happened in the club and we want to know whether it will apply and if it can meet the club licence criteria. If there is a special case, we may need the chairman of the board to agree [to license YFCMD].

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