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Jonathan White

Bahrain international Sayed Baqer, who was banned by Fifa after a racist gesture to Hong Kong fans, is among the national team squad set to face Hong Kong in their crucial Fifa World Cup and AFC Asian Cup qualifiers next month,
The Riffa SC defender, one of 13 players from the Bahrain league and cup champions in the 23-player squad, was at the centre of controversy when the teams met at Hong Kong Stadium in November 2019, and the hosts held the visitors to a 0-0 draw.
Baqer appeared frustrated at the time-wasting tactics employed by some of the home players as the clock ran down. A small fracas broke out after full-time, with home fans jeering the Bahrain players as they left the field.
Video captured Baqer making an apparent slant-eyed gesture at those home fans before going down the tunnel.

After a tense week in, something to cheer for fans at Hong Kong Stadium. Hugely credible World Cup qualifying draw with Bahrain, marred slightly by an apparent racist gesture by Bahrain player at the end of the match #WCQ #HongKongProstests pic.twitter.com/u24ToT3iF7
— Paul Ryding (@pjrydo) November 14, 2019

Social media users were left outraged by Baqer’s gesture, with many calling for governing body Fifa to take action against the Bahraini.
The Hong Kong Football Association reported the incident after the match commissioner’s report did not mention Baqer’s alleged racist gesture.
Fifa opens proceeding on footballer’s ‘slant-eyed’ gesture at Hong Kong fans
“HKFA received the match commissioner report from the game and there was no mention of any incident. Therefore HKFA will report the matter,” the HKFA said at the time, after Fifa confirmed that disciplinary procedures had been opened.
Baqer was handed a 10-match ban by Fifa and a US$30,500 fine for two breaches of their disciplinary code. The global governing body also issued a warning against the then 25-year-old defender, who was playing his club football for Kuwaiti side Al-Nasr at the time.
That was welcomed by Hong Kong FA chairman Pui Kwan-kay. “There is zero tolerance for such behaviour. We hope the players can learn from it,” he said at the time.


While Bahrain coach Helio Sousa said he did not see the incident in his post-match press conference, Hong Kong boss Mixu Paatelainen called for respect in the days after the Bahrain game.
“I don’t want to discuss specific incidents, but all in all, we need to respect each other [and] the opponents,” said the Finn, who earned his first win since becoming Hong Kong boss in April. “Yes, we try to get the better of them but we respect them and we should always behave accordingly, that’s for sure.
“Nobody wants to see aggravation out there – sometimes that happens. I call it handbags, and the boys had their handbags out and had a couple of swings, that was it.
Fifa hands 10-match ban to player for racist gesture towards Hong Kong fans
“The bottom line is that you always respect the opponent, respect the officials, respect the fans, and everybody involved.”
The Finn has rung the changes for the trip to Bahrain, where the side will also face Iran and Iraq. All three teams are above Hong Kong who are fourth in the five team group ahead of Cambodia. Hong Kong are set to meet the hosts at Bahrain National Stadium on June 15.
However, the Covid-19 situation in Bahrain – where there are more than 1,500 daily new cases – is a cause for concern for the AFC.


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Fifa World Cup 2022

World Cup 2022: banned Sayed Baqer back in Bahrain squad to face Hong Kong

Bahraini defender Sayed Baqer makes a gesture to Hong Kong football fans after the teams met in a Fifa World Cup qualifier in November, 2019. Image: Twitter/@pjrydo

Qatar 2022: Hong Kong boss Mixu Paatelainen rings changes for Fifa World Cup qualifiers in Bahrain

Hong Kong head coach Mixu Paatelainen (centre) takes his first training session at the HKFA’s Tseung Kwan O Football Training Centre. Photo: Felix Wong

Fifa World Cup: 10-match ban for Bahrain player over racist gesture against Hong Kong fans; HKFA fined after booing of anthem

Pui Kwan-kay, Vice-chairman of Hong Kong Football Association, attends a radio program in Kowloon Tong. 07OCT16 SCMP/Edward Wong

James Stephen Gee Ha (#14 Red) (centre) from Hong Kong during a game against Cambodia in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers Asian zone at the Hong Kong Stadium in So Kong Po. 19NOV19 SCMP / May Tse

Hong Kong fans hold up a banner during the World Cup qualifier against Bahrain in November. Photo: May Tse

Fifa opens disciplinary proceedings against Bahrain player who aimed ‘slant-eye’ gesture at Hong Kong supporters after World Cup qualifier

Bahrain player Sayed Baqer appears to make a racist gesture towards Hong Kong supporters following their World Cup qualifier. Photo: Twitter/@pjrydo

Hong Kong football team coach Mixu Paatelainen (right) looks on during the Hong Kong vs Iran match 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at Hong Kong Stadium in Happy Valley. 10SEP19 SCMP / Felix Wong

Bulgarian fans react during the Euro 2020 Group A football qualification match between Bulgaria and England due to incidents with fans, at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia on October 14, 2019. (Photo by NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV / AFP)

Soccer Football - Ukrainian Premier League - Shakhtar Donetsk v Dynamo Kiev - Metalist Stadium, Kharkiv, Ukraine - November 10, 2019. Dynamo Kiev's Viktor Tsygankov and Mykola Shaparenko console Shakhtar Donetsk's Taison, who reacts to presumed racist insults. Picture taken November 10, 2019. REUTERS/Oleksandr Osipov

Fans from Hong Kong watch a game against Bahrain (white shirt) in 2022 Soccer World Cup Qualifiers Asian Zone at Hong Kong Stadium, So Kong Po. 14NOV19 SCMP / May Tse

Hong Kong’s World Cup qualifier heroics soured after Bahrain player appears to directs slant-eyed gesture at home fans

Bahrain’s Sayed Baqer appears to aim a racist gesture at Hong Kong supporters after a fractious ending the their World Cup qualifying match. Photo: Twitter/@pjrydo

Sport

Football


Defender was suspended for 10 games and fined US30,000 for racist gesture directed towards supporters in Hong Kong Stadium
Teams will meet in Bahrain for Fifa World Cup qualifiers on June 15 despite Covid-19 spike in country



Defender was suspended for 10 games and fined US30,000 for racist gesture directed towards supporters in Hong Kong Stadium in November 2019.


Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

Fifa

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China