The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong handed US$3,000 slap on the wrist by AFC for fans booing the national anthem

Asian Football Confederation warns of a more severe punishment for repeat violation, but Hong Kong soccer chief Brian Leung says it understands their predicament

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Fans hold a banner reading “We Stand Together” during the Asian Cup qualifier against Lebanon at Hong Kong Stadium. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Published: 12:18pm, 20 Dec 2017Updated: 10:42pm, 20 Dec 2017

Hong Kong have escaped with a minimal fine of US$3,000 for fans booing the China national anthem at last month’s Asian Cup qualifying match against visitors Lebanon.

In a statement issued by the Asian Football Confederation, the Hong Kong Football Association has been ordered to pay the fine for violating Article 65.1 of the disciplinary and ethics code during the pre-match ceremony at Hong Kong Stadium.

And, as usual, the governing body warned its member association a repeat violation would be met with more severe punishment.

Hong Kong Football Association chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak (middle holding the drumsticks) and fans cheering at the match Hong Kong vs Qatar of the 2018 Fifa World Cup Qualification at Mong Kok Stadium. Photo: Edward Wong

“We don’t want to comment on the amount as it is still a fine, but I think the AFC understands our situation since our hands are tied in the incident,” association chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak said on Wednesday.

“We have repeatedly appealed to fans [to not boo the national anthem] and there is nothing more we can do. I hope we can get past all these incidents. There is a long time before we have our next international home game.”

Hong Kong will play their final Asian Cup qualifying match against North Korea in Pyongyang in March and the next international fixture will not come again until next autumn.