Social News
Written by: Chen Shuxia, Lin Yingxian
2021-05-10 11:00
Last update date: 2021-05-10 11:00
The Hong Kong Football Club, which owns expensive lots in Happy Valley and has been granted a symbolic rent by the Hong Kong Government, has recently been embroiled in disputes over discrimination.
Admissions consultant Chen Siming wrote an article on the Internet two months ago, revealing that when he went to the address with his friend earlier, a Filipino girlfriend who was traveling with him was impolitely shouted by the security guard: "Anyone can be a member or a guest Perform Duty ( Service)." Chen lamented at the time that his friends were regarded as "second-class citizens."
It is understood that some members received a letter from the football club a few days ago, requesting members to note that Chen Siming has been banned from entering the clubhouse, and offenders will take action.
Some barristers believe that it is difficult to make a determination based on title alone, but they agree that the incident has discriminatory features, "but it does not mean that there must be discriminatory elements," and believes that the victim should seek help from an equal opportunity.
The Hong Kong Football Association pointed out that Chen Siming is not a member and will not disclose the details of his operation to outside parties.
The EOC stated that it does not comment on individual cases. If the person suspects of being discriminated against on the basis of his race, he can make inquiries or complaints.
The Home Affairs Bureau pointed out that according to the private playground contract policy, the membership policy of the lessee must not be discriminatory, but the bureau "does not comment on unverified online messages."
Chen Siming’s friend received a letter from the football club yesterday (29th), stating that Chen has been banned from entering the football club and will take action if he is found in the area of the football club.
(Photo/Photo by Luo Guohui)
The government currently leases 27 pieces of land to private sports clubs under the "Private Pleasure Land Contract". According to the terms of the contract, the relevant private sports clubs can enjoy free or nominal land prices. However, they have been criticized repeatedly for favoring private clubs.
The government has set the expiry date of most land leases as 2026 or 27 years ago. By then, the authorities will charge a land price of one third of the market value. Each time the lease is renewed for 15 years, the specified conditions must be met, including eligible Groups are open for a specified number of hours to achieve "sports popularization".
The Hong Kong Football Club, which covers an area of 29,537 square meters and is located at 3 Tiyu Road, Happy Valley, is also one of them. Its nominal land price is 1,000 yuan.
The Hong Kong Football Club, located at 3 Tiyu Road, Happy Valley, has a nominal land price of $1,000 in accordance with the terms of the current private playground lease.
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The Hong Kong Football Association was established in 1986 and now has approximately 3,500 members.
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"Hong Kong 01" learned that some members of the Hong Kong Football Club have experienced unpleasant experiences a few days ago.
The member entered the club with several visitors a month ago. One of them was a Filipino girlfriend. But as soon as he entered the door, a senior security guard suddenly shouted in Cantonese: "We are hired to enter the club. But any guest girl can't perform Duty (service) as a member or guest."
Chen Siming wrote an article criticizing security guards for belittling friends as "second-class citizens"
The girlfriend was deeply embarrassed when she heard the words, so she chose to leave and go home first.
A few months after the incident, one of his fellow friends and senior college counselor Samuel Chan wrote an article on his FB page for the woman to fight the injustice. The content of the post mentioned the incident and said that he had contacted the security guard again afterwards. When I met, the security guard had obviously changed his attitude towards another Filipino lady who was traveling with foreigners. He opened his eyes and smiled, and he even more diligently pressed the elevator for them.
In the article, Chen Siming asked why Hong Kong people travelling with Filipino ladies would be considered foreign domestic helpers for convenience. He questioned the attitude of security guards involving racial discrimination and belittled friends as "second-class citizens."
Some netizens commented that they had similar experiences, and some people lamented the seriousness of social labeling. "In fact, Hong Kong people don’t have stereotypes. Bin must be the older sister, South Asia is the poor, and the ghost is the rich and middle class, but the fact is not Huh."
The football club sends a letter to ban members from bringing Chen Siming into the club
"Hong Kong 01" obtained a copy of the email sent to the members in the name of the Hong Kong Football Club. The letter stated that after discussion by the General Committee, it was decided to prohibit Chen Siming from entering the club at any time. With its entry, action will be taken.
However, the letter did not specify the reason for the refusal to enter.
It is understood that the turmoil has also been widely discussed among Chinese members.
The chairman of the Hong Kong Football Club Board of Directors is Nick Hunsworth, who is a senior consultant of Mayer Brown Law Firm, covering areas including banking and commercial litigation.
(Screenshot of Hong Kong Football Club 2019/20 Annual Report)
"Hong Kong 01" obtained a copy of the email sent to the members in the name of the Hong Kong Football Club. The letter stated that after discussion by the General Committee, it was decided to ban Chen Siming from entering the club at any time. However, the letter did not indicate refusal. Give its internal reasons.
Checking the official website of the Hong Kong Football Club, its mission statement states, "To improve sports and the community as a whole, we promise to apply to members and non-members regardless of gender, race or nationality." As for its membership manual, it says that all Members and their guests are bound by the Code. If there is misconduct, including damage to the character, reputation and interests of the Hong Kong Football Club, the general manager or staff can refer the matter to the Disciplinary Standing Subcommittee, and the members may also Facing disciplinary proceedings.
Member manual bans members and visitors from "stigmatizing employees"
The membership handbook also states that all private clubs have specified rules for the behavior of members and visitors, and the Hong Kong Football Club is no exception. It states that for whatever reason, "members and visitors must not condemn employees," nor social The platform releases content that will damage the reputation of the club, and the management has the right to prohibit the person from continuing to use the facility.
Our commitment to the betterment of sport extends to the general community, regardless of gender, race or nationality, and our support is available to both members and non-members. , Race or nationality, and applies to members and non-members.)
Hong Kong Football Club
Admissions consultant Chen Siming wrote an article on the Internet two months ago, arguing for injustices for Filipino friends, unexpectedly he was banned from the clubhouse by the Hong Kong Football Association.
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In reply to the inquiry of "Hong Kong 01", Chen Siming pointed out, "I am a little disappointed with the decision of the Hong Kong Football Club, but I do not intend to pursue it because I am not interested in joining this club. The club does not respect me and it is not important, but I hope it will not affect my friends. , Let alone discriminate against Filipinos."
Member: The club "turns into anger from shame"
Some members of the Hong Kong Football Club who did not want to disclose their identity revealed that they had never heard of the "no entry order" and felt that the football club was accused of racial discrimination, and became ashamed. However, restricting freedom of speech is unreasonable.
The member also pointed out that there is no restriction on the types of visitors to the club itself. "You can enter with your nationality, age and sex."
However, he pointed out that there are unwritten rules in the clubhouse. Among them, Filipino domestic helpers are "specially present" and are not allowed to provide services to employers. Because many years ago, a British senior married a Filipino domestic helper as his wife, in order to practice the concept of "everyone is equal". Therefore, it is forbidden for other Filipino servants to still need to work when they are in the clubhouse, and the relevant unspoken rules have been inherited to this day.
However, he bluntly stated that the implementation has obviously become rigid. "It was a good intention, but it gradually turned into discrimination." His Filipino maid accompanied his son to take care of his son. The waiter in the club restaurant told him that he was "not working" at that time. He didn’t understand the reaction, so he could only apologize; he had a prowess who once took the workers into the locker room, but the staff on duty threatened, “Workers don’t get in unless you are a friend of yours.” His relatives felt Be offended, "I am your friend, but you are not your friend."
The Hong Kong government recently issued a mandatory quarantine order to all foreign domestic helpers, and recently stated that it is studying the requirement for foreign domestic helpers to be vaccinated as a condition for contract renewal. (Photo)
The Bureau of Home Affairs submitted a draft in 2006 to propose legislation prohibiting racial discrimination, which took effect in 2009. The Equal Opportunities website shows that according to the Race Discrimination Ordinance, any person who gives a person poorer treatment due to the race of another person or his close relatives is a direct discrimination; There is also a "racial harassment" category. The use of titles that make a certain ethnic group feel offensive or disrespectful, or the use of derogatory or offensive tone based on their race may constitute discrimination.
In addition, "discrimination that victimizes a person" also includes it, if a person is treated poorly because another person or a third person has filed a complaint, took legal action, or acted as a witness about racial discrimination.
When asked whether it would break the law to call minorities "Acha" or "Bingmei", the then Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs Carrie Lam said at the time that if an offense is verbal or written based on a person's race, Insults and intimidation may be illegal, and ultimately depend on the person's feelings and circumstances.
Barrister: There are signs of discrimination but not necessarily discrimination
Barrister Lu Weixiong said that it is difficult to make a determination based on the title alone. It also depends on factors such as the occasion, the reason for the title, the number of times and whether the client minds or not. "This matter has signs of discrimination, but it does not mean that it must be discriminatory." He believes The parties concerned shall lodge a complaint with the EOC, and the agency shall assist in the investigation.
However, he believes that if the comments made by the victims and friends on the Internet are subjective, "there will be fewer chapters, because it is not possible to conclude the conclusion too soon."
In its reply, the EOC stated that it would not comment on individual cases. If the person suspected of being discriminated against based on their race, they could contact the EOC for inquiries or complaints.
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A review of the information in the Legislative Council revealed that the Home Affairs Bureau has revealed that when considering whether to renew the lease of a private playground, one of the criteria includes whether the tenant’s membership policy is non-discriminatory.
When the reporter inquired about the incident with the Home Affairs Bureau, the authorities stated that in accordance with the private playground contract policy, the membership policy adopted by the lessee must not be discriminatory, and will assess the lessee’s contribution to the promotion of sports development to determine whether it is a lease People renew their contract.
The spokesperson also pointed out that, as far as I know, the relevant members have not lodged complaints or questions with the Hong Kong Football Club and "do not comment on unverified online messages."
When EOC responds to inquiries, it says that it generally does not comment on individual cases. If the person suspects that they have been discriminated against based on their disability, gender, marital status, pregnancy, breastfeeding, family status, or race, etc., they can contact the EOC to make a complaint. Enquiries or complaints.
Hong Kong Football Club: Will not disclose operating details to outside parties
"Hong Kong 01" made an inquiry to the Hong Kong Football Club. The Member Affairs Department of the Hong Kong Football Club replied that Chen Siming is not a member and the Hong Kong Football Club will not disclose the details of its operations to the outside world.
The Hong Kong Football Association was established in 1986 and now has about 3,500 members. Members can bring visitors to enjoy the football field, swimming pool, tennis court, golf driving range and restaurants, and other club facilities. However, to join the club, a set threshold is required. Among them, the subscription price of corporate membership is 3.3 million yuan, which can be transferred for sale; the entrance fee for individual members is 500,000 yuan, but the membership cannot be resold; there is also a membership level for sports contribution, and the entrance threshold is relatively low. Tens of thousands are enough.
All memberships are required to pay a monthly fee.
There are many members of the upper class in society. The Liberal Party, Central and Western District Council (The Peak District) member Yang Zhean and his wife Yang Zhang Xinyue, as well as the former executive director and chief financial officer of Esprit Zhou Fuan, and artist Fang Lishen are also members.
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