Hong Kong footballers say pitch bookings were cancelled for Ronaldo’s team to use
FA urged to ‘make better arrangements in future’ after professional and amateur teams forced to vacate facilities for Saudi Super Cup clubs
Football clubs in Hong Kong have called for better communication from the city’s governing body after it cancelled bookings of facilities to hand them over to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr and their rival Saudi Super Cup teams.
Recreational groups and Premier League clubs received messages at late notice stating that pitches were to be taken off them so that the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) could block-book them for the four visiting Saudi sides.
Premier League club Eastern were forced to move nine sessions, spanning last Thursday to this Friday.
“It’s a little inconvenient for us, especially as the season starts soon,” a spokesman for Eastern said, adding that they had been “notified at very short notice” but that the FA had helped to find alternative places to train.
“Our club is delighted that the HKFA has the opportunity to participate in this event,” he said. “We believe that they can make better arrangements in the future.”
The Post has learned of amateur clubs receiving similar notifications from the HKFA, in one instance with two days’ notice, and being unhappy about the timing, although some of those involved were understanding about the reasons.