Anthem booing in Hong Kong probed

Fans also held up placards saying “Boo” and “Hong Kong is not China” on them.

“HSBC filed an application to the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to appoint provisional liquidators to two companies with operations in Hong Kong: China Fishery Group Ltd. and China Fisheries International Ltd.”, HSBC spokesman Adam Harper said by e-mail Thursday. In September 2014, tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters occupied the streets of Hong Kong for several months in demonstration against the Beijing government’s plan to vet candidates for the Hong Kong leadership election in 2017.

“Today, the HKFA received an official letter from Fifa, announcing that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the HKFA”, the association said. Still, Hong Kong is often the first port of call for Chinese companies. The match ended with a 0-0 draw and crushed the mainland team’s hopes to qualify for the 2016 World Cup.

The booing triggered an uproar among the public and media outlets.

Evergrande, which paid $1.6 billion for the Mass Mutual Tower in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai district – more than 27 times what the seller paid for it more than a decade ago – said this month that the purchase will “enhance the group’s corporate image in Hong Kong as well as global markets”. 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 team striker Chan Siu-ki posted 18 “Boo!” on his Facebook account after the HKFA statement went out. The organization urged Hong Kong football fans to leave their political conflicts away from the pitch out of respect for the game.

HKFA vice chairman Pui Kwan-kay said he expects Federation Internationale de Football Association to impose a stiffer punishment, such as a heavier fine or force Hong Kong to play a match behind closed doors.