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Anthem booing in Hong Kong probed

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2015-11-26 08:27Global Times Editor: Li Yan

FIFA scrutinizes match organizer for fan behavior

Hong Kong may face punishment again after its soccer fans booed the national anthem before a home game against the Chinese mainland last week, triggering public criticism of fans' politicization of the game and disrespect for their country.

The Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) said Tuesday that they have received an official letter from the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), announcing that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the HKFA regarding the incident ahead of the match at Mong Kok Stadium on September 17. The match ended with a 0-0 draw and crushed the mainland team's hopes to qualify for the 2016 World Cup.

The HKFA said FIFA has requested that the organization provide a statement and any supporting evidence that it may consider relevant to the present case by December 1. The final result of the FIFA disciplinary proceedings will be officially released before the end of December 2015.

FIFA's letter said that HKFA appeared to be in violation of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, requiring clubs and associations to ensure law and order are maintained in the stadiums and immediate surroundings and that matches are organized properly.

Previous reports said that when the national anthem was played, many Hong Kong fans started booing, while some held placards with the word "Boo" printed on them, despite the fact that local government officials and the HKFA warned fans to behave themselves ahead of the match and not to boo or heckle when the national anthem is played.

It was not the first time that Hong Kong football fans booed the national anthem before a match. The HKFA was fined more than $5,000 after fans booed the anthem during a match against Qatar in September.

The booing triggered an uproar among the public and media outlets. Some Chinese experts pointed out that booing the national anthem is disrespectful to the fans' own country, adding that an entertaining game should not be politicized.

Hong Kong-based newspaper Wen Wei Po said in an editorial on November 18 that it is disgusting for some people to use football matches to express political appeals or political sentiments, adding that people became even angrier when some fans tried to incite others to echo their calls for Hong Kong independence.

"Hong Kong citizens will condemn their ulterior motives altogether, remain cautious about actions that instigate discord between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland and will never tolerate the spread of separatism," the editorial said.

An article published on Hong Kong-based news site takungpao.com said fans' actions "disgraced Hong Kongers and also insulted the game of football. It is believed that those fans' extreme behavior will be severely punished by FIFA."

According to the FIFA Disciplinary Code, Hong Kong may face further sanctions as serious as points deductions or disqualification from the competition if the home association is found liable for improper conduct by spectators, including displaying insulting or political slogans in any form or uttering insulting words or sounds.

  

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