Messi Snub Pushes Hong Kong Organizer to Refund Fans $7 Million

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Pressure had been building on the organizer to offer compensation to fans angered by Messi’s no-show

(Bloomberg) — The organizer of Inter Miami’s soccer game in Hong Kong where fans booed Lionel Messi for not taking part said it will issue a 50% refund to ticket holders which will cost it $7.2 million.

Tatler Asia, which was criticized by the city’s leader for the debacle, apologized to spectators in a statement on Friday and blamed Inter Miami. Tickets cost as much as HK$4,880 ($624) for Sunday’s game, which was attended by some 38,000 people.