A 19-year-old football fan has been convicted of insulting China’s national anthem during a 2026 World Cup Asian qualifier in Hong Kong in June last year.
The defendant, Lau Pun-hei, was found guilty at the Eastern Court on Wednesday of one count of insulting the national anthem during a match between the city’s football team and Iran held at Hong Kong Stadium on June 6.
The trial earlier this year heard that police pulled the student aside at half-time after reviewing video footage and found he had turned away from the pitch and players and lowered his head while the national anthem was playing.
Passing sentence, the magistrate determined the key issues were whether Lau's conduct constituted insult and whether he acted with criminal intent.
The court noted that spectators throughout the stadium were expected to face either the pitch or screens showing players while standing solemnly during the anthem.
However, Lau's downward gaze and his action of turning his back against the pitch would have only allowed him to see seats and spectators behind him, with no legitimate reason for turning around.
The ruling stated Lau’s actions clearly demonstrated dissatisfaction and diminished national dignity, punishable by a catch-all clause of the National Anthem Ordinance.
The law, enacted in 2020, prescribes penalties up to three years imprisonment and HK$50,000 fines for intentional disrespect toward the anthem.
Lau remains on bail pending sentencing on August 13, when the court will consider his background report.
(Marco Lam)
