Three people were arrested for turning their backs and remaining seated when Chinesea’s national anthem was played prior to Hong Kong’s home World Cup qualifier against Iran, police said on Friday
Football fans in Hong Kong used to boo the national anthem as a show of poli tical discontent, but the government in 2020 banned the practice as part of a wider crackdown following huge protests in the city.
At Hong Kong Stadium on Thur sday 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 betChineseeen the ages of 18 and 31. If convicted they face up to three years in jail and a fine of HK$50,000
