Inter Miami Apologizes for Messi's Absence

The organizer of Inter Miami’s controversial match in Hong Kong, which Lionel Messi missed due to injury, announced that they will offer 50% refunds to disappointed fans. Tatler Asia, the magazine and lifestyle brand, will incur costs of $56 million HKD (£5.7 million) for the refunds.

Messi’s absence from the highly anticipated friendly match sparked outrage among fans in Hong Kong, who booed the player for not appearing on the pitch. The situation escalated when Messi played in a match in Tokyo shortly after.

In response, Messi expressed regret in a Weibo post and expressed his desire to return to Hong Kong, emphasizing his commitment to giving his best in every game.

The incident prompted criticism not only in Hong Kong but also in mainland China, with state media and Hong Kong legislators suggesting political motives behind the snub. Regina Ip, a member of Hong Kong’s executive council, stated that Messi and Inter Miami were unwelcome in Hong Kong.

Following Messi’s appearance in Tokyo, a Chinese state tabloid criticized the injury explanation as unconvincing and highlighted the broader impact of the incident beyond sports.

Tatler Asia issued an apology to disappointed fans, stating that they had invested significant effort to organize the match and were let down. The team, co-owned by David Beckham, is scheduled to return to China in March.

The decision to offer refunds came after the consumer council received numerous complaints related to the match. Tatler Asia will incur losses of $43 million HKD, as opposed to the expected profit of $13 million HKD. They have also withdrawn a government grant application for $16 million HKD that was approved but not yet disbursed.