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.
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.
According to police, the trio arrested, aged 18 to 31, were suspected of turning their backs to the field and not standing when the Chinese national anthem was played at the beginning of the match.
Local media reported that some plainclothes police officers were observing spectators and filming them as the March of the Volunteers was played to the stadium.
Police later apprehended the trio at the scene for allegedly insulting the national anthem. They were released on police bail pending investigation on Wednesday morning, and need to report to the police in mid-July.
The police emphasise that anyone who publicly and intentionally insults the national anthem is committing a crime. Upon conviction, they may face a penalty of a fine of up to HK$50,000 and imprisonment for up to three years,” a Chinese statement from the police read.
YOU MAY ALSO READ: California Shooting: Surveillance video captures gunman’s rampage on busy street