CE voices support for Messi fans demanding refunds
Chief Executive John Lee on Tuesday said the organisers behind last weekend's Inter Miami exhibition match should respond to the demands of fans calling for refunds after the main attraction, Lionel Messi, failed to play. People paid hundreds or even thousands of dollars to see the superstar, who remained on the bench throughout Sunday's game at Hong Kong Stadium. Inter Miami said afterwards that Messi was not fit to play. Lee said the event organisers, Tatler Asia, had failed to meet public expectations, adding that their performance is closely linked to Hong Kong's image and reputation.  Although Tatler has said it won't claim the HK$16 million in public sponsorship it was expecting for the event, it still has a social responsibility to explain what went wrong, Lee said. "We will keep on urging the organiser to explain to the public in detail what actually happened, what the details of the agreement between them and the team were and also why... despite all the suggestions and demands made by the government, nothing materialised," the CE said before going into this week's Executive Council meeting. The government said earlier that when it realised Messi wouldn't play at all, it tried but failed to get him to at least address fans or lift the trophy after the game. Lee said the saga has left officials with a better understanding of what needs to be included in contracts for future "mega events". He added that the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and a committee on mega events will review their roles and responsibilities regarding similar events.  "We'll ensure in future that the right protection of Hong Kong's interest is ensured, such as there'll be a contingency plan well prepared ahead of the actual event," Lee said. "[Also, that] good, accurate and timely information will be disseminated by organisers, so that people will know the progress and make their own assessment on how they'll participate."