Match organisers ‘deeply regret’ Messi no-show

Lionel Messi

Organisers of a Hong Kong football match which drew boos after star man Lionel Messi failed to play said Monday they deeply regretted the no-show, and would withdraw a bid for a HK$16 million ($2 million) government grant. Tatler Asia's CEO read out a statement Monday evening confirming Messi had been contracted to take the field, unless injured, in a pre-season friendly in Hong Kong. Instead the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, who has a leg muscle strain, stayed on the bench throughout Inter Miami's 4-1 win against a Hong Kong select XI.

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The match ended with Messi, his Inter Miami team and club co-owner David Beckham being booed off by nearly 40,000 irate fans who had shelled out large sums to see the World Cup-winning captain play. Fans who had paid upwards of 1,000 Hong Kong dollars ($125) to see Messi chanted "Refund!", gave thumbs-down signs and drowned out Beckham with jeers as he tried to thank the crowd.

"Tatler Asia deeply regrets the disappointing ending to what was an exciting occasion," said Michel Lamuniere, chairman and CEO, in the statement. "[Tatler Asia] has decided to officially withdraw its application for... the HK$16 million government grant." Lamuniere said the organisers were made aware that Messi would not play only at half-time, after he had been named among the substitutes, and "Tatler Asia immediately informed the government".

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