Hong Kong authorities consider taking back funds for high-profile football match after Messi shuns the pitch

Hong Kong authorities have warned they may deduct sponsorship funds from the organisers of a match between Inter Miami and a local team after star footballer Lionel Messi stayed on the sidelines throughout the friendly.

“Regarding Messi not playing the match today, the government, as well as all football fans, are extremely disappointed about the organisers’ arrangement. The organisers owe all football fans an explanation,” the government said on Sunday.

“The [Major Sports Events Committee] will take follow-up actions with the organisers according to the terms and conditions, which includes reducing the amount of funding as a result of Messi not playing the match.”

A government spokesman said the match was given “M mark” status by the advisory committee, meaning it was considered a major sporting event. Organisers received HK$15 million (US$1.9 million) in funds for the match and a HK$1 million venue subsidy, he added.

The match between the US football club and Hong Kong XI ended in boos and jeers as football fans, including some who flew in from overseas, were left disappointed by Messi’s absence on the field.

Many angry spectators were also heard shouting “refund” in Cantonese after the game wrapped up in the evening. One fan was seen furiously drop-kicking a life-size cut-out of the Argentinian superstar.

Marco Hu Kun-ming, who is studying commerce at Australia’s University of Melbourne, said he had paid HK$1,500 to see the game at Hong Kong Stadium that afternoon and expressed his dissatisfaction with Messi’s absence.

“I flew from Melbourne for this. We waited a long time but he never showed up,” the 21-year-old Hongkonger said. “I’m really disappointed.”

Fellow residents Elaine Law, 32, and her partner Total Ling Pak-to said they had forked out HK$2,200 each to watch the game.

“I feel like a fool,” Law said.

As it happened: fans’ anger as Messi sits out Inter Miami v Hong Kong match

Ling, 33, said Messi had appeared extensively in local advertising for the game, fostering expectations the football superstar would play in the match.

“I’ve been waiting almost 10 years to see him,” he said. “This is a rare opportunity to see him, because he might be retiring soon. We are very disappointed.”

Nigerian Antony Osazee, who works as an auditor in Hong Kong, said he paid more than HK$3,600 to see Messi at Inter Miami’s training session on Saturday and the game on Sunday. He was let down both times, he added.

“I came for the training and just saw him doing stretches. Messi isn’t a supermodel.” Osazee said. “People don’t pay just to watch him sit.”

The Post observed a sea of fans wearing Inter Miami pink jerseys at the match, dotted by an island of spectators in the blue-and-white of Argentina’s national team and the red-and-blue of FC Barcelona, paying tribute to Messi’s football career over the last two decades.

Messi won’t have it easy in Hong Kong, says coach plotting to eclipse the GOAT

Chants of “V for Messi” could also be heard no-stop throughout the game.

Organisers said more than 38,000 spectators had come to the stadium for the match.

In the midst of it all, South Korean businessman James Pak, 46, said he came to the city last week with his two sons, aged seven and 10, just to watch the friendly between the US football club and Hong Kong XI.

The trio reached the stadium moments before the game kicked off at 4pm and said they just managed to catch a glimpse of Messi. Pak added that he had paid more than HK$10,000 in total to get tickets.

“My younger son is a super fan of Messi and it is a rare opportunity that he could see Messi play live,” Pak said. “Our biggest wish for today is we can see Messi play and we get to enjoy an amazing match.”

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Messi mania as football superstar arrives in Hong Kong

Messi mania as football superstar arrives in Hong Kong

The first 40 minutes of the game saw both teams struggling to break the deadlock before Inter Miami’s Ryan Taylor scored the first goal of the match, sending a shock wave through the audience.

But Hong Kong XI’s Henri Anier followed up with a goal less than two minutes later, prompting rounds of applause from fans.

Once the dust had settled, Inter Miami had defeated its opponent 4-1.

Local resident John Beresford, 28, was among those unfazed by Messi’s absence on the field and said it gave the Hong Kong team a chance to warm up.

“Hong Kong is smashing it. We’re creating the most chances,” he said. “I think Hong Kong is going to take it home.”

Merchandise on offer at the stadium, including jerseys, jumpers and T-shirts, was almost sold out about 60 minutes after the match started.

Huge cheers for Messi, Inter Miami squad at training session in Hong Kong

Fans of Cantopop boy band Mirror also showed up to the game to watch the prematch performance by members Keung To and Anson Lo Hon-ting.

Office worker Becky Pang, 36, was among the early birds outside the stadium on Sunday morning and said she had queued for 1.5 hours before heading inside.

Carrying a tote bag with Lo’s name, she said she had come to support both the local singer and the match.

“It is such a big event, which is rare for Hong Kong. Of course, I have to come to support,” Pang said. “And of course, I have to come to support Anson. I’ll follow him wherever he goes.”

Local indie-pop artist Gareth Tong Ling-shan, who also goes by the stage name Gareth.T, and mainland-based singer Gloria Tang Tsz-kei, better known as G.E.M, also performed at the event.

“It has been many years since I performed in Hong Kong,” Tang on Friday said in a social media post with several selfies at the stadium. “Just finished the rehearsal, so excited!”

Inter Miami arrived in the city on Friday and attended the open training session on Saturday at the stadium, where several spectators invaded the pitch in an attempt to get autographs and take selfies with the players.

Hong Kong authorities later on the same day condemned the behaviour and warned that security would be strengthened to prevent spectators from trespassing during Sunday’s match.