Hong Kong Group Withdraws From Sponsorship Over Messi Fiasco

00:00

00:00/00:00

Listen to this article 1x

Inter Miami initially told Tatler that Messi was listed as a substitute and therefore fit to play just before the match. Photo: Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) — The Hong Kong-based organizers of a much-hyped soccer match in the city intended to showcase Lionel Messi said they have withdrawn from a multimillion-dollar government grant after the star and other major players failed to participate.

Tatler XFEST Hong Kong will pull out of the grant program and “deeply regrets the disappointing ending to what was an exciting occasion,” Tatler Asia CEO Michel Lamuniere told reporters at a press briefing Monday night. The organizers were promised a HK$15 million ($1.9 million) matching grant and a HK$1 million venue grant, Hong Kong officials said in a previous statement.