Lionel Messi: fans refunded in Hong Kong after anger over Tokyo appearance

* Fans to get 50% money back, costing organiser Tatler £5.7m
* Tokyo runout after Hong Kong injury sparked outrage




The organiser of Inter Miami’s ill-fated match in Hong Kong, in which star player Lionel Messi failed to appear, said it would offer refunds of 50%, after the Hong Kong government as well as football fans harshly criticised the event. The refunds will cost Tatler Asia, a magazine and lifestyle brand, $56m HKD (£5.7m).

Messi’s failure to play in the much-hyped friendly match on Sunday, because of a groin injury, sparked outrage in Hong Kong, with fans booing the 36-year-old player for not coming on to the pitch. The controversy intensified when he took part in a match in Tokyo on Wednesday. Continue reading...