May 4 – China’s Guangzhou Evergrande have been fined US$22,500 and handed a suspended two-match stadium ban by the Asian Football Confederation after their fans unfurled a provocative banner in an Asian Champions League match describing Hong Kong’s independence movement as ‘poison’ and carrying the words: ‘Annihilate British Dogs’.
Away supporters displayed the banner during the game at Hong Kong champions Eastern on April 25.
Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997 from Britain but still retains a high degree of autonomy. Tensions between the two countries remain and back in 2015, Hong Kong were fined by FIFA after fans booed the Chinese national anthem during a World Cup qualifier
Last year Guangzhou was forced to pay $160,000 last year after being found guilty of a series of infractions including secretly filming the preparations of Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates, ahead of their meeting in the ACL final in 2015.
Guangzhou were also made to play their first game of last season’s ACL behind closed doors.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale have been fined $15,000 and given a suspended one-match stadium ban after fans displayed a wartime flag at their meeting with South Korea’s Suwon Bluewings at the Suwon World Cup Stadium.
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