Primary school football players, principal undeterred by online abuse during tournament

A storm over online abuse has cast a shadow over Man Kiu Association Primary School’s breakthrough run at the All-Hong Kong Inter-Primary Schools seven-a-side football competition held before Chinese New Year.

After racking up several victories over rival schools, especially after a 6-0 win that got them to the quarter-finals, the team received abusive comments and complaints about the physical size and height of their players.

Several non-Chinese players, in particular, became targets of cyberbullying after that big win, with comments reportedly mocking their physiques and ethnic backgrounds.

The bullying attracted more than a thousand people to watch the semi-finals and final online.

Man Kiu eventually finished third, losing their semi-final to St Edward’s Catholic Primary School, who went on to win the event, which was organised by the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA).

School principal Ivy Yip Shuk-ting said that all her players met the competition’s age and eligibility criteria.

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