Messi's absence caused public anger, Li Jiachao: Extremely disappointed! Messi arrived in Japan and greeted with a smile
Edited: Huang Sheng
According to the Voice of the Greater Bay Area Weibo, Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive Lee Jiachao said today (6th) that he was extremely disappointed that Messi failed to participate as the public expected, and the SAR government still asked the organizers to do a good job of explaining the incident.
The HKSAR Government will urge the organisers to actively respond to the demands of fans who have purchased tickets and give a detailed account of the incident.
According to The Paper, Messi has remained silent and has not responded to the incident. On the evening of February 5, Messi arrived in Tokyo, Japan, the next stop of his Asian tour, with Miami International. Upon arrival, Messi greeted the welcoming fans with a smile.
Before the start of the game, the organizers still confirmed that Messi could appear
Xinhua News Agency reported on February 5 that in response to Messi's failure to appear in the football exhibition match between the Miami International team and the Hong Kong team and the Hong Kong team a few days ago, the Hong Kong SAR government and the organizer of the exhibition match held a press conference on the 5th, both of which stated that the contract had stated: If there are no injuries and other reasons, Messi and other players will play.
Image source: Visual China VCG111478199684
On the 4th, Miami International defeated Hong Kong, China 4-1, and about 40,000 fans poured into the Hong Kong Stadium that day, most of them for Messi. However, a number of Inter Miami star players, including Messi, did not appear in the starting lineup.
Throughout the game, Messi sat on the bench and didn't even take off his coat. Although the fans chanted Messi's name many times, they finally failed to see the idol appear as they wished. At the last moment of the game, some fans began to leave the stadium early, and even shouted "refund tickets".
Image source: Visual China VCG111478199626
After the game, Inter Miami head coach Martino explained that it was a decision made by the team based on Messi's injury situation.
Kevin Yeung, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR Government, said at a press conference that the competition was organised by Tatler Asia and sponsored by the "M" Brand Programme, a major sporting event of the HKSAR Government. Among the conditions of the sponsorship is – unless there are safety or fitness issues, Messi must play at least 45 minutes. Before the start of the game, the organizers still confirmed that Messi could appear.
Yang Yunxiong revealed that after the start of the second half, seeing that Messi still did not play, the relevant staff of the SAR government immediately contacted the organizer to ask Messi to play as soon as possible, but the reply was that Messi was injured and could not play. Then the staff again suggested that Messi must play. But 10 minutes before the end of the game, the organizers confirmed that Messi would not be able to play. Since then, despite remedial measures offered by the staff, such as Messi receiving the trophy or communicating with the fans after the game, the trip has not been possible.
The organizers held a press conference in the evening, saying that according to the agreement with Miami International, if there are no injuries and other reasons, including Messi, Suarez and other stars will play. The organizer revealed that in the list of appearances provided by the team, Messi and other players were listed as substitutes and suitable to play. But after the first half, Inter Miami informed that Messi was unable to play due to injury. The organizers immediately notified the SAR government and urged the team management to ask Messi to address the fans, but to no avail.
While expressing disappointment, the organizers announced that they would withdraw their applications for the "M" brand and a grant of 16 million Hong Kong dollars (about 14.72 million yuan).
Daily Economic News: Comprehensive Voice of the Greater Bay Area, Weibo, Xinhua News Agency, and The Paper
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