Lionel Messi (centre) joined Inter Miami last summer from Paris St-Germain and is contracted to the Major League Soccer side until 2025
Angry fans in Hong Kong booed Inter Miami during a pre-season friendly after Lionel Messi did not play.
The Argentina World Cup winner, 36, who had a hamstring injury, was left on the bench as Inter beat a local League XI 4-1 in front of almost 40,000 fans.
There were chants of “refund”, while a speech by Inter co-owner David Beckham was drowned out by booing.
The Hong Kong government said Messi had been contracted to play at least 45 minutes.
Kevin Yeung, Hong Kong’s secretary for culture, sports and tourism, said government officials were repeatedly told that Messi would play.
They were only informed that an abductor injury would prevent the former Barcelona star from featuring with 10 minutes of the match remaining.
“We immediately requested them to explore other remedies, such as Messi appearing on the field to interact with his fans and receiving the trophy,” Yeung said.
“Unfortunately, as you all see, this did not work out.”
The government’s major sports events committee (MSEC) added: “Regarding Messi not playing the match today, the government, as well as all football fans, are extremely disappointed about the organisers’ arrangement. The organiser owes all football fans an explanation.”
The MSEC said it had granted match organisers Tatler Asia 15m Hong Kong dollars (£1.5m) for the event along with a grant of one million Hong Kong dollars for the venue.
However, Tatler Asia says it will not ask for the money as Messi did not take to the pitch.
“Tatler Asia deeply regrets the disappointing ending to what was an exciting occasion,” Michel Lamuniere, chairman and CEO, said.
“[Tatler Asia] has decided to officially withdraw its application for… the 16 million Hong Kong dollars government grant.”
A near-capacity crowd of 38,323 at Hong Kong Stadium had each paid more then 1,000 Hong Kong dollars (£101) for a ticket.
But Messi did not feature, while Uruguay striker Luis Suarez, who joined Inter Miami in December, also missed the match, with a knee injury.
In the second half, chants of “we want Messi” intensified as the Argentina captain, signed last July, continued to watch from the bench.
Beckham was then drowned out by jeers when he tried to thank supporters for their “incredible support” at the final whistle.
The organisers said: “Despite some news reports, Tatler did not have any information about the non-participation of Messi or Suarez prior to kick-off.
“Messi and Suarez were deemed unfit to play by their team’s medical department, to everyone’s, including ours, disappointment.”
Inter manager Gerardo Martino said: “We understand the fans’ disappointment in the absence of Messi and Suarez, and we apologise for that, but this was a decision made with our medical staff.
“If there was a way they could have played even a little while we would have done it, but there was too much risk involved.”
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