Tatler ends money deal, mum on refunds

The organizer of the boo-riddled Lionel Messi exhibition has withdrawn its application for a HK$16 million sponsorship after the Argentine football superstar sat out the match in front of an irate crowd of 38,000 fans.

Tatler Asia did not respond to calls for ticket refunds but said yesterday it was only told at half-time by David Bekham's Inter Miami that Messi would not play against a Hong Kong select team.

Tatler Asia chairman and chief executive Michel Lamuniere said it "had the best intention to make the event a great success for Hong Kong."

But Tatler Asia "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."

He said Tatler promoted the event under a contractual agreement with the American football club that prominent players - including Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets - "would play unless injured."

The official team sheet that listed players available to play and signed by Inter Miami head coach Gerardo Martino had Messi and Suarez listed as substitutes and thus fit to play, Lamuniere said.

Tatler "had every expectation that both players would make an appearance in the match."

But at half-time "when it was communicated by the club management that there would be no possibility for Messi to play in the game due to an injury Tatler Asia immediately informed the government.

"Tatler Asia subsequently spent the second half urging the club's leadership to instruct Messi to address the fans, to no avail."

Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung said earlier that Tatler Asia had assured Hong Kong officials that Messi would be playing in the second half.

"However, when we noticed that Messi was yet to be put on the pitch the government had followed up with Tatler multiple times, demanding they contact Inter Miami immediately and arrange Messi to come off the bench," Yeung said.

"Tatler later came back with news that Messi might not play due to an injury, but the government reiterated our demand that Messi must play in the match."

He added that with only 10 minutes left in the game, Tatler once again came back with news that Messi would not play in the match, and that the government's demands for action had fallen on deaf ears.

"The government asked for a series of salvaging efforts, including getting Messi to provide an explanation to his fans or receive the trophy on behalf of the team, but none of them materialized," Yeung said.

Lobo Louie Hung-tak, associate head of the Education University's Department of Health and Physical Education, said he understood the fans' feelings as it was reasonable for those who bought tickets to expect Messi to play.

"I think Messi was sitting out the match due to injuries was most probably an excuse," Louie said.

He added that the nature of an exhibition match is different from a regular game. If a familiar opposition player has an injury he can communicate through the Hong Kong team to make special arrangements.

Tourism sector legislator Perry Yiu Pak-leung said Hong Kong fans had been "showing a huge extent of restraint" over the incident.

"If similar incidents happened in foreign countries fans in the stadium would be throwing objects or even starting a riot," Yiu said.

Roundtable lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun slammed Inter Miami for being "arrogant" while calling the clause that allowed Messi not to play due to injury a loophole.

"Contracts for similar activities might have to go into more detail," Tien said. "For example, putting it in black and white a clause like when a star player is sick he has to have a photo session with fans."

Liberal Party chairman Peter Shiu Ka-fai said those who are familiar with Messi know the Argentine has a good personality, and he does not believe Messi would fake an injury.

"But I think the team could have dealt with matters better," he added. "The match had boosted consumption in the vicinity of Causeway Bay. I hope the government will continue organizing these activities despite the minor setback."

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com