China News Service, February 9th. Tatler Asia, the organizer of the exhibition match between Inter Miami and Hong Kong Stars, issued a statement on the 9th saying that it will not evade its responsibilities as the organizer of the event. Tatler Asia will provide tickets for the public who purchased tickets through official channels. Provide 50% refund. Details of refund arrangements will be notified separately before mid-March. Tatler Asia apologizes to fans who were disappointed by the match.
Announcement screenshot
After Tatler Asia announced the relevant refund plan, the Hong Kong SAR government issued a press release stating that it welcomed the relevant decision and believed that the organizer's compensation plan was a responsible approach and showed its positive and responsible attitude.
The communiqué also pointed out that the Hong Kong SAR government understands that there are still many doubts about the incident from all walks of life, especially that Messi was unable to play in Hong Kong due to injury on February 4, but Messi was active and comfortable playing in Japan three days later, and in There was intense exercise on the court for quite a while. The Hong Kong SAR government hopes that Inter Miami will eventually provide a reasonable explanation to Hong Kong citizens and fans who come to Hong Kong to watch the game.
The exhibition match between Inter Miami and the Hong Kong Stars was held in Hong Kong on the evening of the 4th. Messi did not appear in the game. The reason was later explained to be swelling and pain in the groin injury. Many fans who came specifically for Messi were extremely disappointed, and they were also extremely dissatisfied with the attitude of Inter Miami and Messi towards this matter.
The picture shows Messi after the exhibition game. Photo by China News Service reporter Hou Yu
On the evening of the 7th, an exhibition match between Inter Miami and Vissel Kobe was held in Tokyo. Messi not only came on as a substitute, but also performed actively. The game against the Hong Kong Stars of China on the evening of the 4th became the only game in which Messi was absent from Inter Miami's six exhibition games.
Tatler Asia stated in its announcement on the 9th that in order to bring this world-class event to Hong Kong, Tatler Asia invested millions of dollars and worked hard for several months. Tatler Asia put in their blood and sweat in the hope of bringing a world-class football event to Hong Kong, but in the end it backfired. Inter Miami promised in the contract that if not injured, team stars Messi, Alba, Busquets, and Suarez would need to play for 45 minutes. Unfortunately, Inter Miami finally informed Messi and Suarez that they would be absent due to injuries.
On the evening of the 7th, Beijing time, Inter Miami played an exhibition match with Vissel Kobe in Tokyo, Japan. Messi, who attracted much attention, came on as a substitute in the 60th minute of the second half.
"Fans come here to watch the game and the stars, but injuries are also part of the game. However, what makes us sad is that the fans present do not seem to get the respect they deserve." When it was learned that Messi could not play, Tatler Asia once Inter Miami was asked to urge Messi to appear in front of the fans and personally explain to the fans the reasons for not playing, but unfortunately it did not happen in the end. Messi and Suarez played in Japan on February 7, which made Tatler Asia feel like it was slapped again.
Regarding the refund plan, Tatler Asia will provide a 50% refund to the public who purchased tickets through official channels. Refund details will be notified before mid-March.
Event review
On December 15 last year, tickets for Inter Miami’s Hong Kong exhibition match were sold out within one hour of opening.
On February 2, 2024, Messi and the Inter Miami team arrived in Hong Kong, and the players left the field before the welcome ceremony was over.
Data map: Messi and Inter Miami arrive in Hong Kong. Photo by Li Zhihua
On February 4, the organizer's match list showed Messi as a substitute. One minute before the opening, Messi did not appear in the game list released by Inter Miami and did not appear in the end.
On February 5, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Yang Yunxiong, revealed that 10 minutes before the end of the game, the organizer confirmed that Messi could not play. The SAR government immediately took a series of remedial actions, such as asking the organizer whether Messi could be contacted. Xi personally explained to the fans and accepted the award on behalf of the team, but did not do any of this.
On February 6, Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive Lee Ka-chiu stated that the Hong Kong SAR government would urge the organizers to actively respond to the appeals of fans who purchased tickets and provide a detailed explanation of the incident.
On February 6, Hong Kong Legislative Council member Fok Qi-gang said that Messi’s past achievements in the football world are unquestionable and deserve our respect. However, with the way this game was handled, he believed that Hong Kong fans did not feel respected.
On February 6, Messi attended the press conference alone in Tokyo. He revealed that he felt discomfort in his adductor muscles during the first game in Saudi Arabia, and although an MRI showed it was not an injury, he still felt discomfort. "Many people came to the scene in Hong Kong and I wanted to play. It's a pity that something like this happened in the football world. I hope I will have the opportunity to play in Hong Kong in the future."
On February 7, 3 minutes before the start of Inter Miami’s Japan exhibition match, Messi’s Weibo account posted, “I was unable to play in the friendly match in Hong Kong due to a groin injury. My injury was swollen and painful. Understood. My friends will know that I want to give it my all in every game, especially being away from home with my teammates, and the fans are looking forward to seeing us healthy."