Last year, Shanghai Seaport was excited to win the Chinese Super League trophy. Although they were accused of gaining as many as 8 profits, they still didn't stop Shanghai players such as Wu Lei from bursting into tears the moment the title was confirmed and then happily joining in the celebrations. Why? Because all the fines alleged against Shanghai last year were profited from private citizens and non-FA officials.
But not this year! The determination of the FA Review Panel is equivalent to an official determination by the FA. While the result of the match remains unalterable, it is the equivalent of an official statement after the fact - profiting in Hong Kong.
Other fans say they profited in HK so HK can be ignored. At most, Hong Kong fans retort that you don't know anything about football. But the determination of the FA Review Panel is different, it is a post facto correction and represents the official attitude of the FA. Once this determination was released, it was equivalent to what other fans were saying - Hong Kong really made a profit. It's a direct slap in the face, a slap in the face.
In fact, the Harbour have been much less profitable in penalties this season than last, but it was in one of the most crucial matches that they profited twice in a row and gained three points in the match that decided the halfway point of the Super League title that they could not help but imagine.
There are many opinions out there. What the FA can do is probably to just admit the bad judgment and misjudgment. Although this hits the harbor, it also proves to the outside world that the FA is trying to make the league better. This could salvage some of the fans' confidence in the development of the league!
