HONG KONG: Fans of football legend Lionel Messi in Hong Kong who were left disappointed by his absence from a friendly match in February will be eligible for a 50% refund, announced the match organizer.
The decision comes after Messi’s unexpected no-show at the match, which he attributed to an injury, leaving Chinese fans disgruntled for weeks. Ticketholders seeking refunds are required to agree not to pursue legal action, as reported by Tatler Asia.
According to Tatler Asia, the refunds could amount to as much as HK$56 million, as fans had paid up to HK$4,880 each for the opportunity to watch the 36-year-old Argentine footballer in action. However, Messi remained on the bench throughout the match, leading to disappointment among the 38,000 spectators at the sold-out Hong Kong Stadium, some of whom demanded refunds at the conclusion of the game.
The match organizer, Tatler Asia, stated that they were informed of Messi’s absence only at halftime and promptly notified the government. Despite efforts by Hong Kong authorities to explore alternative solutions, including having Messi interact with fans on the field, the footballer did not participate in the match.
Messi’s subsequent appearance in Japan days later reignited controversy, with accusations from state media outlet Global Times suggesting political motives behind his absence in Hong Kong. However, Messi refuted these claims, expressing his fondness for the people of China.
Tatler Asia outlined specific conditions for those seeking refunds, including refraining from initiating legal proceedings. Furthermore, the match organizer withdrew its application for a HK$16 million government grant amid criticism over its handling of the event.
