Struggling North District aiming to erase match-fixing scar with ‘beautiful football’

Head coach Chan Chi-hong has said he hopes to introduce a “beautiful” brand of football, as embattled North District seek to repair their reputation following last season’s match-fixing allegations.

Chan accepted the “big challenge” of trying to revitalise the Premier League’s basement team when he was appointed last month.

The 46-year-old, whose side suffered a morale-sapping 4-1 loss at Southern on Saturday, joined soon after the club parted ways with title sponsor Crownity.

North District said Crownity had failed to fulfil payments this season, while it was speculated that the construction company decided to walk away because of the corruption allegations.

Chan, who played for South China and Hong Kong, said he had no intimate knowledge of that situation, and was adamant North District had the means to compete in the top flight beyond this season.

Last May, one coach and two players from North District were among 12 people arrested on suspicion of bribery, match-fixing and illegal gambling.