Argentina’s two friendlies in China have been canceled as the dispute continues after Lionel Messi was absent from Hong Kong.
The Athletic Reported on Friday’s friendly match in March Games against Nigeria and Ivory Coast could be rescheduled after Messi did not play in Inter Miami’s friendly against Hong Kong Eleven.
This was announced by an Argentine Football Association (AFA) official with knowledge of the situation. The Athletic The match has been canceled and two matches are being considered to be held in other destinations in Asia and the United States.
AFA announced in January that they would face Argentina. Nigeria Matches were played in Ivory Coast in Hangzhou and Beijing during the Asian tour during the March international break, but local authorities later confirmed the cancellation of both matches.
A statement from the Hangzhou Sports Bureau said: “A company negotiated with the Argentine soccer team to come to Hangzhou for a friendly match in March this year as a commercial event. In view of well-known reasons, the competent authority recognized that the conditions for holding the event were not met. As a result, we have decided to cancel the event.”
Hong Kong government expresses disappointment Last Sunday, Messi did not play in the match against Hong Kong Eleven. The reigning Ballon d’Or winner was ruled out of the match due to an adductor injury. On Wednesday, Messi played 30 minutes in a match against Vissel Kobe in Tokyo. It was a “deliberate and calculated disrespect” by the Hong Kong government.
“However, three days later, Messi was able to play actively and freely in Japan…The government hopes that the organizers and the team will provide a reasonable explanation.”
Promoter Tatler Asia, which organized the match in Hong Kong, said in a statement that the 40,000 fans who attended last Sunday’s match against Inter Miami were entitled to a 50% refund. Inter Miami will play another friendly against Newell’s Old Boys, Messi’s childhood club, in Fort Lauderdale on February 15th.
of MLS The regular season begins in six days, with Inter Miami taking on Real Salt Lake at DRV PNK Stadium.
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(Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images)