Three arrested for disrespecting anthem at Hong Kong W’Cup Qualifier

Before Hong Kong's home World Cup qualifier versus Iran, China's national anthem was sung. Three persons were arrested for turning their backs and staying sat during this time, according to police on Friday.

As a form of political protest, Hong Kong football fans used to boo the national anthem. However, the government outlawed this practice in 2020 as part of a larger crackdown that followed significant demonstrations for democracy in the city.

Two men and a woman were detained at Hong Kong Stadium on Thursday, according to police, for having "turned their backs towards the pitch and did not stand for the playing of the national anthem."

"Police emphasised that it is illegal for anyone to publicly and purposefully denigrate the national anthem in any manner," the statement read.
The three individuals detained ranged in age from 18 to 31. They might spend up to three years in prison and pay a fine of HK$50,000 ($6,400) if found guilty.

Hong Kong lost the match 4-2 to Iran, ending any chance of them making it to the next round of World Cup qualifying.
Despite being a special administrative province of China, Hong Kong participates in a number of international sports, including football, under its own identity.
The Hong Kong team became a symbol of civic pride and occasionally anti-government sentiment throughout the politically turbulent 2010s.

Before Hong Kong matches at the time, the Chinese national anthem was sometimes drowned out by jeers, which infuriated local and mainland officials.

2020 saw the financial centre enact a separate local rule making insults to the national anthem illegal, shortly after Beijing enforced a broad national security regulation on the city.