News
Three Arrested For Dishonouring China’s National Anthem At Hong Kong World Cup Qualifier
Three people were arrested for turning their backs and remaining seated when China’s national anthem was played prior to Hong Kong’s home World Cup qualifier against Iran, police said Friday.
Football fans in Hong Kong used to boo the national anthem as a show of political discontent, but the government in 2020 banned the practice as part of a wider crackdown following huge democracy protests in the city.
At Hong Kong Stadium on Thursday, police said two men and a woman were arrested because they “turned their backs toward the pitch and did not stand for the playing of the national anthem”.
“Police stressed that anyone who publicly and intentionally insults the national anthem in any way commits a crime,” a statement said.
The three arrested were between the ages of 18 and 31. If convicted they face up to three years in jail and a fine of HK$50,000 ($6,400).
Hong Kong, whose hopes of reaching the next stage of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup were already over, went on to lose the game to Iran 4-2.
Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China but competes in its own name in many international sports, including football.
During the politically tumultuous 2010s, the Hong Kong team became a vessel for civic pride and occasionally anti-government sentiment.
At the time, the Chinese national anthem was routinely drowned out by boos before Hong Kong matches, enraging local and mainland officials.
Soon after Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong in 2020, the finance hub passed a separate local law criminalising insults towards the anthem.
Credit: AFP
-
Society News4 years agoJamaican man beheads wife after finding out their 6 kids are not his
-
Society News6 years agoEXCLUSIVE: The Complete Story of Dolapo Awosika, John Fashanu and Prophet Kasali Sex Mess
-
News5 years agoPastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, His Membership Of Secret Cult, And Other Issues Touching On His Public Credentials Examined by Barr. PATRICK I. BIOSE
-
News5 years agoBREAKING: Ajimobi’s daughter-in-law blast Gov. Makinde, says gov can’t surpass ex-Oyo gov
-
News5 years agoBREAKING: 2 arrested as NAF begins investigations into Tolulope’s death
-
Crime5 years agoExclusive: Female Aide Fingered In Oko Oloyun’s Murder + Banking Transactions That Nailed Husband
-
News4 years agoBREAKING: Police take over Edo House of Assembly as APC, Oshiomhole move to seize control
-
Society News5 years agoThe Rise and Fall of “Jumoke The Bread Seller”
You must be logged in to post a comment Login