Hong Kong clubs threaten to boycott matches if government is unable to reopen football venues after March 1
- Club representatives say the Tseung Kwan O centre facilities are inadequate and they would prefer playing behind closed doors at proper venues
- The government closed down its football venues because of the coronavirus threat, with the HKFA saying it was only an interim measure
Hong Kong’s Premier League clubs are threating to boycott matches from March 1 onwards if they are forced to play at the Tseung Kwan O Training Centre – the only venue open because of the coronavirus crisis in the city.
After a special meeting of team representatives on Thursday, the clubs urged the Hong Kong Football Association to review the situation with the government as soon as possible, saying the facilities at the training centre were inadequate for players, officials and the media.
“If the association continues to arrange matches at the training ground after March 1, all 10 clubs will not send their teams,” said Steven Lo Kit-sing, of Pegasus. “We hope the association can discuss with us early next week to sort things out.”
Clubs said they were let down by the substandard facilities at Tseung Kwan O, with changing rooms lacking space and too far away from the pitch. In addition, there is no shelter for media and officials and a lack of space for ground advertising.
Patrick Yung Shue-hung, the HKFA’s medical adviser, has issued a letter saying the decision to hold matches and training at the centre – and involving so many teams – goes against efforts to counteract the spread of the coronavirus, which causes the Covid-19 disease.
Apart from teams, matches also involve the media and officials and Yung suggested the centre be used for training only. He also urged the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) to open three of its venues for local matches, even if they are to be played behind closed doors.
