Three people have been released on police bail after being arrested on suspicion of insulting China’s national anthem during a 2026 World Cup Asian qualifier in Hong Kong.
Two men and one woman were apprehended under the National Anthem Law on Thursday night at Hong Kong Stadium, where Iran secured a 4-2 victory against the city’s team in a qualifying match for the international football championship to be held in 2026.
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.
Sports events
Hong Kong authorities have cracked down on behaviour they saw as insulting the Chinese national anthem at sports events since the city passed the National Anthem Law in 2020. The legislation also regulates the use of the national anthem and sets out standards of behaviour when it is played.
In April, a 21-year-old man was charged with insulting the Chinese national anthem at a volleyball match after singing the pro-democracy song Do You Hear the People Sing while the March of the Volunteers was being played.
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