Organizer Tatler Asia announced on Friday that it will provide a 50 percent refund to those who purchased tickets through “official channels” for the friendly soccer match between the Hong Kong Team and Inter Miami. The statement expressed apologies for the disappointment caused by Lionel Messi’s absence in the game, adding that details of the refund process will be provided in March.
Messi’s decision to sit out the match in Hong Kong, citing injury, disappointed over 38,000 local fans and tourists. However, on Wednesday night, Messi played for over 30 minutes in a stadium in Japan. In response to the refund decision, the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region welcomed it, considering the compensation a responsible approach.
Despite the refund, questions persist regarding Messi’s ability to play in Japan just three days after missing the Hong Kong match due to injury. The government hopes the club will offer “reasonable explanations” to Hongkongers and fans who attended the match, seeking clarity on the apparent inconsistency.
Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, a member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, emphasized the need for Messi, Inter Miami, and the organizers to provide a proper explanation to the public, stating that the incident should not be allowed to end without clarification.