SHANGHAI (Reuters) – Chinese organizers on Wednesday canceled a fan event on the eve of a planned National Basketball Association (NBA) exhibition game in Shanghai, part of an escalating row over a team official who supported protests in Hong Kong.
A worker removes a giant advertisement of the NBA China Games from a building in Shanghai, China October 9, 2019. REUTERS/Aly Song
On Wednesday afternoon, a press conference with the two teams was delayed indefinitely, organizers said, and a Reuters witness saw workers tearing down giant banners advertising the exhibition game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets.
Sponsors and partners had already cut ties with the NBA after a tweet by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey last week supported anti-government protests in the Chinese-ruled city, and NBA commissioner Adam Silver backed his right to free speech.
Here are comments from Chinese fans.
YU JIE, FAN WAITING TO SEE NBA PLAYERS IN SHANGHAI
âI donât know why political conflicts affect sporting events. Just because they donât want us to see Moreyâs comments on TV, the fansâ night has been canceled.
âIâm patriotic of course. I support that Hong Kong is part of China, but I just donât understand this.â
XU ZIYANG, ANOTHER FAN OUTSIDE THE PLAYERSâ HOTEL
âPersonal opinions belong to them. It doesnât affect us chasing the stars.
âWe donât know if the players will come out, but they should appear at night to eat dinner or go shopping. The fansâ night has been canceled – that canât be helped – but I think they will appearâ.
KEITH YUEN, NBA BASKETBALL FAN IN HONG KONG
âI donât think he (Silver) is mixing up sports and politics. I think he was speaking as a U.S. citizen on this occasion. Iâm really grateful for his support and the support of the majority of the U.S. citizens.â
Reporting by Shanghai bureau, edited by Darren Schuettler and Gerry Doyle
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