Organisers initiate ticket refund process for Messi’s absence from Hong Kong game

Organisers in Hong Kong have started offering refunds for a controversial football friendly that sparked outrage due to Lionel Messi’s absence. Tatler Asia announced a 50 percent refund for customers who bought tickets, some paying up to 4,880 Hong Kong dollars, for the game.

According to a statement by Tatler Asia, refunds will be processed within 30 days from the 12 April 2024 deadline. Customers who purchased tickets directly from Tatler Asia Limited will be contacted by a dedicated account manager regarding ticket refunds.

The outrage began when Messi did not appear in the game between his club Inter Miami and a Hong Kong League XI on February 4. Despite citing a groin injury for his absence, fans were upset when he played for 30 minutes in another friendly against Vissel Kobe just three days later in Tokyo.

The controversy surrounding Messi’s absence from the football friendly in Hong Kong has led to organisers offering refunds to dissatisfied customers. Despite Messi’s explanation of a groin injury, fans were still left unimpressed when he played in a different match shortly after.