China News Service, February 5 (Xinhua) According to Hong Kong's "Dian News", Inter Miami played a friendly match with the Hong Kong team at the Hong Kong Stadium on the afternoon of the 4th. Messi, the "ball king" who has attracted much attention from fans, failed to appear, which caused dissatisfaction among fans. Later, the Hong Kong SAR government expressed its extreme disappointment twice.
Michel Lamunièr, chairman and CEO of Tatler Asia, the organizer of the event, announced at a media briefing held on the afternoon of the 5th that he deeply regretted that the event had disappointed everyone and decided to officially withdraw the funding application for the "M" Brand Fund and the HK$16 million fund. He declined to respond to reporters' questions at the scene.
A reporter asked whether he would refund tickets to fans who had purchased tickets. Lamunièr ignored the question and left the venue.
Previously, Hong Kong Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau Secretary Yang Yunxiong said in a meeting with reporters that the organizer Tatler has the responsibility to personally explain to the public and fans why Messi cannot appear and the arrangements with Inter Miami. This is a highly publicized event, and the SAR government has tried its best to coordinate and provide various assistance in addition to sponsorship, so it understands the disappointment of the fans.
Yang Runxiong said that the entire event was the result of the organizer contacting the SAR government to provide assistance. Everyone believed that Messi’s visit to Hong Kong was exciting and in line with the funding of large-scale events. He reiterated that the organizer is responsible for event arrangements and contacting the team, and has the responsibility to personally provide support to Hong Kong citizens and foreign tourists. Explain the details of the incident and disclose the contact with the Inter Miami team so that the public can make a judgment.