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The Football Association of Hong Kong, China
SportHong Kong

ExclusiveHong Kong FA chief executive Mark Sutcliffe to leave his role in two months after contract expires

Englishman was appointed in 2012 to help lift Hong Kong soccer but leaves with two years remaining of his five-year strategy plan

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Hong Kong FA CEO Mark Sutcliffe will not be offered a new deal when his current one expires and will leave his role in two months. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Chan Kin-wa

Football chief Mark Sutcliffe will leave his office despite having two years left in his strategy plan to revitalise the sport in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak said they would not comment on the future of the chief executive but various sources confirmed Sutcliffe, who took over the job in 2012, would not be offered a new contract when his present one expires in September.

“We will not comment on our staff member’s contract as this is between him and the association,” said Leung. “If there are changes, we will make a proper announcement.”

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Sutcliffe also declined to make any comment until the “time is nearer”.
HKFA CEO Mark Sutcliffe (left) with HKFA chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak (Centre) and HKJC CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges as the five-year local football development plan is announced at Hong Kong Jockey Club.
HKFA CEO Mark Sutcliffe (left) with HKFA chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak (Centre) and HKJC CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges as the five-year local football development plan is announced at Hong Kong Jockey Club.

The association will have a board meeting next week and it is believed an official statement will be made after the meeting.

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Sutcliffe, from Liverpool, UK, first came to Hong Kong in 2009 when he conducted a soccer consultancy report for the government. Upon the report’s completion, Sutcliffe’s company, Scott Wilson, was appointed the “change agent” for the HKFA to implement the changes in the report before the introduction of the Phoenix Project, a comprehensive programme initiated by the government to revive all aspects of the game.

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