Hong Kong fans turn their back and boo while holding up placards during the Chinese anthem.
Thousands of Hong Kong football fans booed loudly and turned their backs when the Chinese national anthem was played before their World Cup qualifier against Iran on Tuesday, taking the city’s months of protests into the sports realm.
The crowd broke out into “Glory to Hong Kong,” a song reflecting their campaign for more democratic freedoms in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.
After the match started, fans chanted “Fight for freedom” and “Revolution of our Times.” One person carried a blue…
Hong Kong fans
Hong Kong authorities on Friday unveiled planned legislation punishing anyone who insults China’s national anthem with up to three years in prison, after football fans have repeatedly booed it at matches.
The legislation also calls for anyone who is present when “March of The Volunteers” is played to “stand and deport themselves respectfully,” and that it be required to be taught to students.
The anthem has become a political flashpoint in Hong Kong, a semiautonomous Chinese city where jeers…
Diego Forlan in action during the defeat to Tianjin Quanjian.
Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan has told ESPN FC that his Kitchee teammates must change their mentality in the Asian Champions League.
Forlan was signed on a four-month contract for the group stages of the ACL, but was frustrated as two-time champions Jeonbuk Motors thrashed Kitchee 6-0 on Tuesday.
That result came a week after an opening day 3-0 defeat to China’s Tianjin Quanjian.
“I was playing in the Premier League and I was playing in Spain and in Italy, and when we play in the…
Hong Kong fans again jeered the anthem against Lebanon.
Hong Kong fans again defied the threat of punishment from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Tuesday when they jeered the Chinese national anthem ahead of the Asian Cup qualifying defeat to Lebanon.
Last month, the AFC warned that the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) risked punishment if fans continued to boo “The March of the Volunteers” after it was jeered ahead of the meeting with Malaysia.
Before the match against Lebanon, some fans turned their back on flag as the anthem was played.
The…
Coach Thomas Dooley will now have to wait until March to see if Philippines can qualify.
Philippines blew a great chance to seal their place at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup as they laboured to a 0-0 draw in Nepal.
The Azkals will now have to avoid defeat at home to Tajikistan in next March’s final Group F fixture after Tajikistan and Yemen also played out a goalless draw. Thomas Dooley’s side remain two points clear at the top of the group and favourites to progress to their first-ever Asian Cup finals.
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However, a draw at a country 60 places below them in the FIFA rankings is a major…
Hong Kong fans booed China’s national anthem ahead of the friendly with Bahrain.
Disgruntled football fans run the risk of further action being taken against the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) next week as a small group continued their protest against the playing of China’s national anthem.
Hong Kong meet Lebanon in the qualifying rounds of the AFC Asian Cup on Tuesday, just five days after fans again jeered the “March of the Volunteers” before the team’s friendly with Bahrain on Thursday evening.
No action is likely to be taken…
Hong Kong fans booed China’s national anthem ahead of the Malaysia game.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has warned the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) over the future conduct of its team’s fans after they jeered China’s national anthem during a recent AFC Asian Cup qualifying win over Malaysia.
A section of Hong Kong’s supporters turned their backs on the national flag and booed during the playing of the Chinese national anthem, “The March of the Volunteers,” prior to the start of the game, which Hong Kong won 2-0.
Hong Kong, an autonomous territory in…
ESPN FC’s Jason Dasey and Stanley Bernard discuss the third postponement of Malaysia’s AFC Cup qualifier against North Korea.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president is standing by his winless national head coach Nelo Vingada, who suffered his fourth defeat in five matches in AFC Asian Cup qualifying on Tuesday as Malaysia lost 2-0 to Hong Kong.
The Crown Prince of Johor (TMJ) insists the Portuguese boss should be given more time, despite the fact that Malaysia’s results have got worse since he took charge in May.
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“It is not fair if we want to change [Nelo] Vingada now. I have to give the team time, and I…
ESPN FC’s Jason Dasey and Stanley Bernard discuss the third postponement of Malaysia’s AFC Cup qualifier against North Korea.
Red cards, a lack of goals and no victories… Malaysia have gone from bad to worse this year, and their latest qualifying defeat leaves them teetering on the brink of elimination on the road to the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
Despite bold talk from the new hierarchy about improvements in Malaysian football, coach Nelo Vingada has now overseen five winless matches, with four defeats, including Tuesday’s night’s 2-0 loss in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong
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Here are three thoughts on their latest setback:
1. Failure of Vingada’s…
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