Hong Kong demanded that the match organizers explain Messi’s absence from the field

The Hong Kong government has demanded that the organizers of a friendly match between the American club Inter Miami and the Hong Kong team Hong Kong XI explain why Argentine striker Lionel Messi did not take the field. The Committee for Major Sporting Events allowed the organizers to cut funding.

“As for the fact that Messi did not play in the match today, the government, as well as all football fans, are extremely upset by this decision of the organizer. The organizer must provide an explanation to all football fans,” the Hong Kong government said in a statement, citing Reuters.

The match took place today, February 4, and ended with a score of 4:1 in favor of Inter Miami. Fans who attended the game called for ticket refunds due to Messi’s absence from the pitch. Tickets for the game cost approximately $125. Luis Suarez also did not appear on the field. At the same time, the organizers said that they themselves were disappointed and surprised that the players remained in reserve.

Inter Miami head coach Gerardo Martino said at a press conference after the match that Lionel Messi did not take the field because doctors warned of a high risk of injury: the player had inflammation of the hamstrings. “We understand that the fans are very upset and we ask for their forgiveness. We would like it to be possible to bring him onto the field to play for a while, but the risk was too high,” the coach said, as quoted by South China Morning Post.

The Hong Kong government allocated a grant for the match in the amount of 15 million Hong Kong dollars (about $1.9 million). The stadium received about $128 thousand more. Inter Miami players arrived in Hong Kong on February 2. The day before there was a team training session in which Messi participated.

Lusine Balasyan