Organisers 'share fan disappointment' in Messi no-show
The organisers of Inter Miami's visit to Hong Kong expressed "extreme disappointment" late on Sunday over the absence of Lionel Messi and fellow star Luis Suarez from the American side's friendly against a local XI. Fans showed their frustration with boos and cries for a refund as Messi sat on the sidelines during the game, while the government put out two statements demanding answers from the organisers and indicating that it would seek to get back some of the HK$16 million in public funds allocated for the game. Organiser Tatler XFEST Hong Kong said in its statement that it "wishes to express our extreme disappointment regarding Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez's non-participation in Inter Miami CF's team today against Hong Kong team. "We, alongside all football fans who attended that match, had been eagerly anticipating Messi's and Suarez's participation and share in the disappointment felt by everyone watching." The organiser continued: "Despite some news reports, Tatler did not have any information about the non-participation of Messi or Suarez prior to kick-off. Messi and Suarez were deemed unfit to play by their team's medical department, to everyone's, including ours, disappointment." In its statement, the government said it "expressed deep disappointment over Messi not playing at Tatler XFEST Hong Kong, Hong Kong Team vs Inter Miami CF, and the organiser failing to provide a detailed explanation promptly". It added: "Many Hong Kong fans looked forward to the match with enthusiasm, and a lot of tourists came to Hong Kong particularly for the match. The government, as well as all football fans, are extremely disappointed that Messi could neither play in the friendly match, nor explain to the fans in person upon request. "The way that the organiser and Inter Miami CF handled the situation could not meet the expectations of the fans who showed strong support to Messi, especially those visitors who came all the way here for the match." It said the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Major Sports Events Committee would require the organiser to take responsibility "including a reduction of the amount of funding as a result of Messi being not able to play in the match". Fans had booed and chanted for refunds as the match ended. One video that went viral on local social media showed a supporter taking a flying kick at a board featuring the Inter Miami players, knocking Messi's head clean off.