Hong Kong Premier League side Kitchee is understood to be "demanding" more than HK$5M ($639,150) in compensation after being refused its place in the group stages of the 2017 Asian Football Confederation Champions League, according to Chan Kin-wa of the SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. The Hong Kong champion "confirmed a notice of arbitration had been sent" to fellow HK Premier League club Eastern, Hong Kong’s representative in last year’s tournament; the Hong Kong FA; and HKFA CEO Mark Sutcliffe, although the club "preferred not to disclose further details." Kitchee President Ken Ng Kin said, "We can confirm such a notice ... and the case is in progress." It is understood Kitchee is holding the respondents responsible for its losses as a result of failing to start in the 2017 AFC Champions League group stage and losses suffered for hosting the Lunar New Year Cup of the same year, "which clashed with the qualifying round of the Champions League." The three respondents denied all the claims and the four parties involved have "agreed to appoint a senior counsel as the arbitrator" (SCMP, 2/13).
