Hong Kong Chief Executive Lee Jiachao and Fok Qigang have spoken out Messi responded: I hope to have the opportunity to play in Hong Kong again in the future
Two days have passed since Messi did not appear in the Hong Kong warm-up game, but its follow-up events are still fermenting. On the 6th, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee and Vice President of the Hong Kong Sports Federation and Olympic Committee Fok Qigang spoke one after another. Messi attended a press conference in Japan on the 6th, explaining why he could not play in the Hong Kong exhibition match, and at the same time expressed his hope that he would have the opportunity to play in Hong Kong again in the future.
On February 4, Miami International played an exhibition match with the Hong Kong Stars at the Hong Kong Stadium, but Messi sat on the bench throughout the game, causing dissatisfaction among many fans. Not only that, but Messi also rejected the organizers' request to address the fans. A spokesman for the organizers said that the application for government funding of 16 million Hong Kong dollars will be scattered. According to media reports in Hong Kong, China, as of noon on the 5th, 38 complaints had been received about Messi not playing, of which 29 were local consumers and 9 were foreign tourists, involving a total amount of more than 210,000 Hong Kong dollars.
While the matter was still fermenting, Messi remained silent and did not respond to the incident. On the evening of February 6, 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. According to the arrangement, on February 7, Inter Miami will play against J-League side Vissel Kobe. In the official promotional video, Messi appeared on camera and said that he was "very happy to be in Tokyo for this match".
Under the attention of all parties, Messi attended a press conference on the 6th local time in Japan, and talked for the first time about not being able to play in the Hong Kong exhibition match, and expressed his hope that he would have the opportunity to play in Hong Kong again in the future. "Unfortunately I felt I had a problem with my adductor muscles in my first game in Saudi Arabia," he said. I checked my condition and did an MRI showing no injuries, but I still didn't feel well. There are a lot of fans in Hong Kong and I wanted to participate, but unfortunately it got difficult and that's part of football. Any game will happen, that's understandable, but some people are looking forward to playing in Hong Kong, so I hope we can find some opportunities. ”
Earlier on the 6th, in response to Messi's absence from the warm-up game, Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive Lee Jiachao and Hong Kong SAR Legislative Council member Fok Qigang spoke one after another. Mr Lee said that although the organisers voluntarily withdrew the applications for the "M" brand and the $16 million fund after holding a meeting with colleagues from the Culture, Tourism and Sports Bureau to discuss the incident, the Bureau will continue to urge the organisers to actively respond to the demands of various sectors of the community, including making public the co-operation arrangements between the organisers and Miami International, and how to actively respond to the demands of fans who purchase tickets and enter the stadium. He said, "I have instructed the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Major Sports Events Committee on this matter to review the supervisory roles, responsibilities and requirements of this incident and in assisting in the organising of large-scale events in the future. The Government will continue to strive to promote large-scale events to attract visitors and create opportunities, and this goal will not change, and the Government will make unremitting efforts for the development of Hong Kong in this regard. ”
Huo Qigang posted a long post on his personal social platform again about this matter, and he said that he still has something to say about the organizers. He said, "On this point, I have not changed my position on Tatler, and I hope that your group can consider a suitable plan to give a reasonable explanation to fans, tourists and Hong Kong citizens and show due respect." Regardless of the reasons behind this incident, I hope that all parties, including the government and the sports sector, will bear in mind this incident and its lessons, and continue to hold the event better and better in the future with the spirit of sportsmanship to give back to the society. ”
Text/Beijing Youth Daily reporter Zhang Kunlong
Editor/Wang Haozhou