December 18 – Hong Kong fans jeered the Chinese national anthem as the political turmoil that has gripped the former British colony once again spilled over into football.
The Korea Football Association said it had taken steps to ensure there were no banners bearing political messages at the Busan Asiad Stadium in South Korea, where nearly 200 Hong Kong fans chanted and banged drums to drown out a tiny pocket of Chinese supporters during a four-team tournament that also includes Japan.
Disrespecting the national anthem is a crime in China and Hong Kong has presented a bill that sets jail terms of up to three years for the same offence.
After Wednesday’s game, won 2-0 by China, the Hong Kong fans also sang “Glory to Hong Kong,” that has become a rallying cry for democracy.
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