In the early morning of February 5, Beijing time, a spokesman for the Hong Kong SAR government once again spoke sternly, expressing his extreme disappointment that Messi failed to play in the game against the All-Star team of Hong Kong, China. The Hong Kong government once again emphasized the position of the SAR government and demanded that the organizers take responsibility for the matter.
A spokesman for the Hong Kong government said that Messi was extremely disappointed that he was unable to play in the exhibition match and did not stay in the stadium after the match as asked to explain the reason to the fans in person. The spokesman also reiterated that the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Major Sports Events Committee will hold the organisers accountable in accordance with the terms of the agreement, including possible deductions of sponsorship payments due to Messi's unavailability.
As a member of the Legislative Council for the sports, performing arts, culture and publishing sectors of Hong Kong, China, Fok Kai-gang also issued a statement angrily criticizing the organizers of the event and the Miami International Club.
Fok Qigang believes that in the past period, the organizers have been using the "football king" Messi as a solicitation, and the overwhelming publicity has attracted the eager expectations of Hong Kong citizens and fans, and tickets have been sold out in an instant. The game also allowed a large number of citizens to come to the vicinity of the Hong Kong Stadium four hours early to prepare for the entrance, hoping to see the "King of the Ball" Messi, but with Messi not playing, many fans were disappointed.
Fok believes that the organizers and Miami International need to apologize and explain to the people of Hong Kong. In particular, the Miami International Club, which received sky-high remuneration to visit Hong Kong, although Messi was unable to play, the team did not increase interaction with the public in other ways to respond to and meet the expectations and support of the public, and the attitude towards the fans and the citizens of Hong Kong, China was not respectful and unacceptable.