Messi sits out Hong Kong friendly; government may cut support funding

The Hong Kong authorities mentioned it might reduce funding for a pleasant match after soccer legend Lionel Messi didn’t take the pitch on Sunday.

U.S. Main League Soccer staff Inter Miami defeated a choose Hong Kong XI 4-1 in a pleasant match, however did so with out the assistance of the Argentine celebrity who remained on the bench for the entire 90 minutes.

The Miami Herald reported that Messi had an MRI final week forward of a pleasant match in Saudi Arabia. Whereas he was reportedly anticipated to be left off the roster, he appeared on the 83rd minute when the Florida staff was already down 0-6.

The South China Morning Submit referred to as Sunday’s match the “best let-down of all time,” reporting that followers have been booing and calling for refunds on the closing whistle.

Inter Miami didn’t instantly reply to CNBC’s request for remark.

The pleasant match had been awarded “M” Mark standing which is granted to main sporting occasions held within the metropolis. The designation permits organizers to faucet on chosen assist measures from the town’s authorities. Hong Kong mentioned it had awarded the occasion an identical grant of 15 million Hong Kong {dollars} ($1.9 million) and a venue grant of HK$1 million.

The town’s authorities issued a press release Sunday expressing “deep disappointment” over Messi not taking part in and for the organizer failing to offer an in depth clarification promptly.

“Many Hong Kong followers appeared ahead to the match with enthusiasm, and numerous vacationers got here to Hong Kong notably for the match. The Authorities, in addition to all soccer followers, are extraordinarily dissatisfied that Messi might neither play within the pleasant match, nor clarify to the followers in particular person upon request,” the assertion mentioned, including that “the best way that the organizer and Inter Miami CF dealt with the scenario couldn’t meet the expectations of the followers.”

Occasion organizer Tatler Asia featured Messi and teammate Luis Suárez on promotion supplies for the match. Suárez additionally didn’t play in the course of the match. The organizer additionally expressed its “excessive disappointment” in a press release.

“Regardless of some information experiences, Tatler didn’t have any details about the non-participation of Messi or Suárez previous to kick off. Messi and Suárez have been deemed unfit to play by their staff’s medical division, to everybody’s, together with ours, disappointment,” it mentioned in an Instagram submit.

The Hong Kong authorities mentioned it will take steps to carry the organizer accountable in keeping with phrases of the deal, together with a attainable discount in funding.

Ticket costs for the match price between HK$880 to HK$4,880, in keeping with a CNBC verify on Klook, the occasion’s ticketing agent. SCMP reported that some followers spent “1000’s” on journey and resale tickets.

Inter Miami is scheduled to play a pleasant towards Japanese J-League facet Vissel Kobe in Tokyo on Feb. 7, with grownup ticket costs starting from 10,000 yen ($67.39) to an eye-watering 3 million yen ($20,214.45).