Hong Kong consumer watchdog urges Messi match organiser to quickly handle refunds, says it is the ‘best option’ to appease disgruntled fans
- Consumer Council says it received 1,300 complaints against Inter Miami game organiser Tatler Asia
- Tatler last week announced a 50 per cent refund to those who purchased match-day tickets via official channels, though details have not yet been released
The number of complaints against the regional luxury media brand stood at 1,300 as of February 9, Gilly Wong Fung-han, the Consumer Council’s chief executive, said on Tuesday.
“We think a refund is the best option for attendees,” she told a radio programme, while reminding ticket-holders to keep payment records as proof of purchase. “We also hope that they deal with the details of the refund … before mid-March.”
On February 6, Tatler apologised to football fans amid outrage over the absence of Inter Miami’s Messi in a friendly fixture in Hong Kong on February 4. Last week, it announced a 50 per cent refund to those who purchased match-day tickets via official channels.
Wong revealed the council had also suggested that Tatler hold another event for ticket holders of the match or distribute special souvenirs to them as a remedy.
“Considering all the different possibilities, time and costs … in the end, it was determined that a ticket refund would be the most direct and suitable way to soothe the emotions of fans,” she said.
Organiser of Messi match in Hong Kong may face legal action as backlash mounts
Asked about her thoughts on the 50 per cent refund, Wong said the organiser still did well on the entire event experience which included several performers such as Mirror members and G.E.M, and that the amount was the most Tatler could offer.
The head of the consumer watchdog also called on organisers of events featuring celebrities or groups to ensure transparency of risks in their messages and communication with the public.
“Performances featuring famous stars and idols could be cancelled or delayed for a variety of reasons,” she said. “The organiser should inform consumers of these risks in the process of selling tickets.”
Hong Kong leader urges Messi match organiser to disclose deal with Inter Miami
Despite being heavily featured in advertisements in the run-up to the event, Argentinian World Cup winner Messi, 36, sat out the entire match against the Hong Kong team, drawing boos and chants of refunds from the sell-out crowd of about 38,000 at Hong Kong Stadium.
The fiasco continued to fester in the days following the match, as the team and Tatler drew criticism from the government, lawmakers and the public from both sides of the border.
Messi and Inter Miami – which won the game 4-1 – later blamed his absence on an injury, but his appearance on the pitch in a match in Japan a few days later further stoked anger among fans.
In an unaudited breakdown of the finances behind the club’s visit, Tatler showed that the refund would end up costing the firm its entire projected profit, plus another HK$43 million (US$5.6 million)
It made HK$156.9 million from ticket sales, merchandising, sponsorship and advertising, but spent HK$143.9 million on appearance fees, renting the stadium, accommodation and travel, and various other associated expenses.
The net income of HK$13 million translated to an 8 per cent profit margin, but refunds were projected to cost HK$56 million.
The fallout from the Inter Miami debacle has extended beyond Hong Kong, with Chinese nationalist tabloid Global Times writing an opinion piece speculating that the incident may have been orchestrated by “external forces”.
Sports authorities in Hangzhou have also cancelled a friendly match between Argentina and Nigeria on February 9 for reasons “known by everyone”, with another match against Ivory Coast in Beijing still up in the air as the Beijing Football Association said on February 10 that it had “no plans at the moment to host any matches involving Messi”.
Argentina’s national squad is captained by Messi.
