The Hong Kong FA board imposed a “local player” rule on Chinese Super League side Guangzhou R&F after a "wave of opposition from clubs, players and fans" over the team’s plans to field only mainland players in the Hong Kong Premier League next season, according to Chan Kin-wa of the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. HKFA board members "agreed a resolution stipulating that Guangzhou R&F's development squad must field at least four Hong Kong players at every match." The resolution "followed heated discussions on expanding the number of teams playing in the Premier League from nine last season to 11 next term." HKFA Chair Brian Leung Hung-tak said, "We have listened to comments made by clubs, players and other stakeholders after the recommendations of the working party and it’s now up to Guangzhou R&F to decide if they want to become the 11th team in the Premier League next season." Guangzhou R&F, which has also agreed to sponsor a cup competition to the tune of HK$1M ($130,000), has "two days to reply to the board" on whether the club would accept the new rule. Leung "insisted the recommendation is in the best interests" of Hong Kong football. Leung: "We have stated very clearly that it is our target of having 12 teams in the Premier League and in fact we still have not reach the target even with the participation of Guangzhou R&F. The mainland team can bring in more resources to our competition and they have also promised to use overseas coaches for their squad, which means our players can learn from them. There is also no need for the teams to play the away match in China as Guangzhou R&F will come down to Hong Kong to be based at Siu Sai Wan" (SCMP, 7/11).
