Tatler Asia, the organizer of the exhibition match between the Hong Kong team and MLS club Inter Miami, announced on Monday the withdrawal of the application for HK$16 million in funds from the government regarding the event.
The organizer also expressed their deep regret over the disappointment of the fans and Hongkongers.
Michel Lamuniere, the chairperson of Tatler Asia since 2015, said in the press conference that the contract agreement signed by Tatler and Inter Miami includes clauses to require Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez to play in the match unless they are injured.
He added that Messi, Suarez, and other football stars such as Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba were all included in the official team sheet signed by Miami's head coach Gerardo Martino before the match and that "showed Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez as substitutes and therefore fit to play."
"Accordingly, Tatler Asia had every expectation that both would play," Lamuniere added.
He said the club management informed Tatler at half-time that Messi would be unable to play due to an injury, and the company immediately informed the government.
"Tatler Asia subsequently spent the second half urging the Inter Miami CF leadership to instruct Messi to address the fans, to no avail," he noted.
Lamuniere said the Tatler group deeply regrets the "disappointing ending" to what was an exciting occasion and has decided to officially withdraw its application for the M Mark Event Status and the HK$ 16 million government grant.
