The 2013–14 Hong Kong First Division League, officially named 2013–14 HKFA RedMR Hong Kong First Division League due to sponsorship reasons, is the 102nd season of the First Division League since its establishment. It will be a transition season before the new Premier League gets under way in autumn 2014.[1] Therefore, this is also the last ever First Division that is the top division in the Hong Kong football league system.
The season will start on 30 August 2013. League fixtures were announced on 14 August 2013.[2]
On 11 February 2014, the Hong Kong Football Association concluded that Tuen Mun and Happy Valley failed to provide evidence to demonstrate that they are viable football clubs in terms of governance arrangements and financial sustainability. All of their remaining matches are suspended for the remainder of the season.[3] Two days later, the HKFA announced that the results of all of the matches played by the two clubs this season will not be included in the league table. Goals scored in the matches will not be counted. However, where the matches have involved disciplinary sanctions, i.e. yellow cards and red cards, etc., these will remain on record. Furthermore, HKFA has confirmed that none of the remaining 10 teams playing matches in the 1st Division will be relegated at the end of the 2013/14 season in the same report.[4]
Remarks : 1 As Siu Sai Wan Sports Ground will undergo renovation during the season, it will not be used for football matches within the construction period. Home matches of Happy Valley during the period will be played at Tai Po Sports Ground. 2 The capacity of Aberdeen Sports Ground is 9,000, but only the 4,000-seater main stand is opened for football matches. 3 The capacity of Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground is 3,500, but it can be expended to 5,000 if the temporary stand is opened.
Updated to match(es) played on 11 May 2014. Source: Hong Kong Football Association Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head goals scored; 5) goal difference; 6) number of goals scored. (C) Champions; (D) Disqualified; (R) Relegated Notes:
^On 13 February 2014, the HKFA announced that as a result of a match-fixing investigation, both Tuen Mun and Happy Valley would be excluded from the league, and their records would be expunged.[4]
Positions by round
To preserve the chronological order of events, any postponed matches are not included to the round at which they were originally scheduled, but added to the full round they were played immediately afterwards. For example, if a match is scheduled for round 7, but then played between rounds 8 and 9, it will be added to the standings for round 8.
^The match originally kicks off on 22 September 2013. Due to typhoon, the match was cancelled and postponed. It has been scheduled to play at 14:30 on 13 October 2013.[18]
^The match originally kicks off on 22 September 2013. Due to typhoon, the match was cancelled and postponed. It has been scheduled to play at 14:30 on 3 November 2013.[18]
^The match originally kicks off on 22 September 2013. Due to typhoon, the match was cancelled and postponed. It has been scheduled to play at 20:00 on 26 February 2014.[18]
^Due to the investigating on match-fixing, the HKFA 1st Division matches involving Tuen Mun and Happy Valley will be postponed with immediate effect for one month pending the result of a hearing to be scheduled as soon as possible and hopefully approximately 1 week to 10 days from now.[19]
^Due to the investigating on match-fixing, the HKFA 1st Division matches involving Tuen Mun and Happy Valley will be postponed with immediate effect for one month pending the result of a hearing to be scheduled as soon as possible and hopefully approximately 1 week to 10 days from now.[19]
^Due to the investigating on match-fixing, the HKFA 1st Division matches involving Tuen Mun and Happy Valley will be postponed with immediate effect for one month pending the result of a hearing to be scheduled as soon as possible and hopefully approximately 1 week to 10 days from now.[19]
^Due to the investigating on match-fixing, the HKFA 1st Division matches involving Tuen Mun and Happy Valley will be postponed with immediate effect for one month pending the result of a hearing to be scheduled as soon as possible and hopefully approximately 1 week to 10 days from now.[19]
^Due to the investigating on match-fixing, the HKFA 1st Division matches involving Tuen Mun and Happy Valley will be postponed with immediate effect for one month. However, neither Club has proven its viability to the satisfaction of the Committee as questions raised by the Committee remain unanswered. Therefore, the Committee will give the Clubs one final opportunity to provide all of the information requested, in particular relating to their financial viability and governance structures and will meet again on 10 February to review the information. An Emergency Board Meeting of the HKFA is being arranged for 11 February. Therefore, matches of both clubs held before 11 February will be postponed.[20]
^Due to the investigating on match-fixing, the HKFA 1st Division matches involving Tuen Mun and Happy Valley will be postponed with immediate effect for one month. However, neither Club has proven its viability to the satisfaction of the Committee as questions raised by the Committee remain unanswered. Therefore, the Committee will give the Clubs one final opportunity to provide all of the information requested, in particular relating to their financial viability and governance structures and will meet again on 10 February to review the information. An Emergency Board Meeting of the HKFA is being arranged for 11 February. Therefore, matches of both clubs held before 11 February will be postponed.[20]
