China News Service, February 5 (Xinhua) According to Hong Kong media reports, on the 4th, Inter Miami participated in an exhibition match in Hong Kong. International star Messi did not play in the end, which caused dissatisfaction among fans. Discussions arose from all walks of life in Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong SAR government issued two statements and held a press conference to respond to the matter.
The picture shows fans in the audience expressing their dissatisfaction because Messi and Suarez did not appear in the competition. Photo by China News Service reporter Hou Yu
The Hong Kong SAR government twice expressed "extreme disappointment"
At 19:32 on the evening of the 4th, the Hong Kong SAR government responded to the media regarding the incident, saying that the event was awarded the "M" brand recognition (that is, it received financial support or logistical support from the Hong Kong SAR government) by the Major Sports Events Committee, and 15 million Funded by Hong Kong dollar matching grant and HK$1 million venue grant. Messi failed to play in the exhibition match that day. The SAR government and fans were also extremely disappointed with the organizer's arrangements. The organizers owe the fans an explanation. The SAR government stated that the Major Sports Events Committee will follow up with the organizer according to the terms of the agreement, including the possibility of deducting sponsorship funds due to Messi's failure to appear.
At 22:54 on the evening of the 4th, the SAR government issued a statement on the exhibition match stating: Messi was not able to play in the Hong Kong team VS Inter Miami exhibition match, and failed to provide a detailed explanation and explanation as soon as possible. It expressed extreme disappointment.
The SAR government pointed out that this event was awarded the "M" brand recognition by the Major Sports Events Commission, and was funded by a matching grant of HK$15 million and a venue subsidy of HK$1 million. The SAR government also provided a number of coordination and assistance, including arranging venues and Crowd management, etc., in order to bring fans a wonderful game and an opportunity to see the skills of the world's top football player. Many Hong Kong fans were eagerly looking forward to it, and many tourists came to Hong Kong to watch it. Messi failed to play in the exhibition match and did not explain the reason to the fans in person at the venue as requested. The SAR government and the fans were extremely disappointed. The handling methods of the organizers and Inter Miami failed to respond to the expectations of a group of fans who enthusiastically support Messi, especially a group of tourists who came from afar. The Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Major Sports Events Commission will hold the organizer responsible according to the terms of the agreement, including the possibility of deducting sponsorship funds due to Messi's failure to appear.
Yang Runxiong: The organizers are still sure that Messi will play before the game starts
At noon on the 5th, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Mr Yang Yunxiong, and the Sports Commissioner, Huang Desen, met with the media to respond to the incident. Yang Runxiong pointed out that in the match on the 4th, the Hong Kong team performed well, but Messi did not play. The SAR government and fans were very disappointed. The Hong Kong SAR government has cooperated with the organizer Tatler this time. The sponsorship contract stipulates that Messi must play for at least 45 minutes unless there are problems with safety and health conditions.
The picture shows Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive John Lee (fifth from right in the front row) and others presenting the trophy to the winning Inter Miami team. Photo by China News Service reporter Hou Yu
Before the start of the game, the organizers still confirmed that Messi would play in the second half. However, they discovered that Messi did not play in the second half and had requested the organizers to contact the team immediately. The organizer only pointed out at that time that Messi was unable to play due to injury, and the SAR government requested on the spot to arrange for Messi to play. Ten minutes before the end of the game, the organizers once again confirmed that Messi could not play. The SAR government immediately took a series of remedial actions, such as asking the organizers whether they could ask Messi to explain to the fans in person and receive the award on behalf of the team, but nothing was done. .
The SAR government believes that Tatler has the responsibility to personally explain the incident to the public. This is a highly publicized event, and the SAR government has provided some venue coordination. It has spent a long time in the past month, so I can feel the disappointment even more. The SAR government will learn from experience and discuss with the Large-Scale Sports Events Committee to further improve the work in the future and will continue to work hard to organize grand events. As for the HK$16 million sponsored by the event, Yang Runxiong pointed out that the SAR government has not yet paid, and will discuss the performance of this event with the organizer Tatler in the next few weeks before making a decision.
Fok Qigang: The Inter Miami team needs to apologize to all Hong Kong citizens
Hong Kong SAR Legislative Council member Fok Kai-kung issued a statement on the incident, saying that he was very disappointed with the arrangement of the organizer Tatler and believed that Tatler and the Miami International team need to apologize and explain to all Hong Kong citizens.
Fok Qigang pointed out that in the past period of time, Tatler has been using the "football king" Messi as a solicitation, and has used overwhelming publicity to attract the eager anticipation of citizens and fans, and the tickets have been sold out in an instant. By the time of the game on the 4th, a large number of citizens arrived near the Hong Kong Stadium four hours in advance to prepare for the game, hoping to catch a glimpse of Messi. He believes that Tatler and the International Miami team need to apologize and explain to all Hong Kong citizens.
Fok Qigang expressed his support for the SAR government to follow up with the organizer according to the terms of the agreement, including deducting sponsorship funds as punishment. He hoped that when organizing activities in the future, especially projects funded by the government, they must ensure the quality of the activities and meet the expectations of the public.
Fok Qigang continued to point out that the Inter Miami team received sky-high remuneration to visit Hong Kong. Although Messi was unable to play, the team did not increase interaction with the public in other ways to respond to and meet the public's expectations and support. This is to the fans and Hong Kong citizens. There is a lack of respect and an unacceptable attitude.
Legislative Council member Joseph Chan said that he, like the more than 30,000 other fans who bought tickets, was looking forward to appreciating the superb skills and style of Messi and Suarez, but he was deeply disappointed that they did not play in the end.
Chen Zuheng pointed out that the SAR government responded decisively and followed up after the incident of Messi not playing, which shows that the SAR government has the ability and responsibility to act. However, the handling methods of the organizer and the team were not appropriate and did not take measures as soon as possible, which shocked the public. It is absolutely necessary for the SAR government, as the funder of the event, to take appropriate follow-up actions if the fans are satisfied with the detailed explanation and explanation.
Wu Jiezhuang, a member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council's Civil Affairs, Culture and Sports Affairs Committee, urged the organizers to explain the follow-up arrangements in a radio program on the 5th. He believed that fans paid high prices for tickets because they wanted to see Messi perform on the field, but Messi was not present at all. Participation, very disappointing. In response to the two statements issued by the SAR government after the game, Wu Jiezhuang commented that the SAR government had done a good job this time. He also pointed out that it depends on the terms of the contract. If the contract states that Messi will play, the SAR government should deduct part of it according to the terms of the contract. Sponsored, I believe the SAR government has legal experts to review the relevant provisions.
The organizer is closed today to thank guests
Tatler Asia, the organizer of the event, closed its offices in Aberdeen to welcome visitors. There is an English notice posted outside the Tatler office, stating that it will be closed for one day on the 5th and will resume operations tomorrow. There are security guards guarding the door outside the site and said that all employees will work from home today.
Image source: Hong Kong "Dian News"
According to Hong Kong's "Dian News" report, a reader broke the news that on the 5th, he inquired about the refund issue with the official ticketing partner Klook. The customer service specialist initially responded that he had not received any related event cancellation information. I can understand the guest's mood. If I don't see the expected player on the field, I will assist the guest to ask the relevant department whether the order can be refunded. He also said that please give this part some time for Klook to confirm it with customers and relevant teams. Klook will provide the latest confirmed situation within 48 hours.
Subsequently, readers received a response from Klook saying, "Hello guest, we have tried to apply for a refund from the relevant department for you. However, it is very regrettable that the relevant department informed all Tatler XFEST Carnival that there is no way to refund despite all the uncertainties. And compensate the guest. Therefore, we can only reject the guest’s request for a refund.”