Seeking refund for missing Messi at Inter Miami match could be challenging: Legal experts

Legal experts have suggested that seeking a refund for the exhibition match between Inter Miami and the Hong Kong team, on the grounds that certain players were not fielded, could be challenging due to the nature of the tickets sold.

This comes after furious fans booed and held up banners requesting refunds as Lionel Messi sat out the entire game on Sunday.

Lawyer Eric Chan Pok-ho explained that Messi technically made an appearance at Hong Kong Stadium, and the team has the right to amend the lineup at any time.

As the match promoted is about "Hong Kong Team vs Inter Miami CF" and not "Messi's exhibition match," the fans may not have substantial grounds to accuse the organizer of breaching its contractual obligations.

Chan stated that the player's injury or illness could also count as a situation beyond the organizer's control. 

He further commented that seeking compensation could only be possible if the organizer knew in advance that Messi would not be playing or if he did not enter the stadium or visit Hong Kong at all.

The Consumer Council has received 38 complaints related to the incident as of noon. Of these, 29 were filed by local consumers, while nine were from tourists.

The complaints involve a total amount of HK$216,964, with an average of approximately HK$5,710 per case. The highest reported amount involved is HK$22,338.

The Consumer Council advises all ticket holders to retain their tickets, receipts, and any other relevant vouchers.

There was a similar case occurred in South Korea in 2019 involving Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo, who had committed to play for at least 45 minutes in a friendly match between Juventus and the K-League All-Stars.

However, Cristiano Ronaldo remained on the bench throughout the game due to muscle fatigue. 

Two spectators of that match filed a lawsuit against the organizers, alleging false advertising and seeking a refund. The Incheon District Court ruled in favor of the fans, ordering compensation of approximately 370,000 South Korean won. More than a hundred fans also won their legal battles in the follow up cases.