According to Chinese state media, the Chinese Football Association has canceled a friendly match Lionel Messi was scheduled to play in after his controversial match in Hong Kong.
Messi, who plays for MLS team Inter Miami, has been at the center of a public backlash in China after the star player was absent from a friendly match in Hong Kong on February 4. The local government criticized Messi for not appearing, citing injury, to meet fans.
According to a national newspaper, the Beijing Football Association has announced that the match in which Messi is scheduled to appear will not be held as the controversy over his absence from the match in Hong Kong intensifies. Global Times.
Argentine Messi was due to play in a friendly against Ivory Coast in the Chinese capital, but the match may have been cancelled. Sports news site The Athletic reported, citing sources, that the match against Beijing will not be held.
Hong Kong fans who paid $624 to see Messi in action cried for a “refund” after the football whirlwind was not seen during the match.
A friendly match against Argentina’s national soccer team scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province in March was also cancelled. A friendly between Argentina and Nigeria is scheduled for next month, in which Messi was expected to play.
Global Times On Saturday, he said the match in Hangzhou had been canceled for “well-known reasons”, suggesting China was reacting to Messi’s decision not to take part in the match in Hong Kong.
“According to the competent authorities, given the current well-known reasons, conditions are not in place to hold a friendly match. [we] Reuters reported on the cancellation of the match, citing Hangzhou authorities.
Hong Kong Football Association president Pui Kwan Kei criticized Messi for letting his fans down.
“Even if you get injured, you should still interact with sports fans afterward.” [the] The competition has ended. A simple “I’m sorry” could have eased the frustration. But he didn’t even try. “How do you think his actions were perceived by the 38,000 fans in the stadium and those watching on TV?” Pui said. Global Times.
Hong Kong’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Secretary Kevin Yong recently said the local government was trying to arrange for Messi to meet fans during the match.
“We immediately asked them to consider other remedies, such as having Messi appear on the field to interact with the fans,” Yong said at a press conference. newsweek Previously reported.
newsweek We have asked Inter Miami for comment regarding the alleged cancellation of two upcoming friendlies.
Global Times Amid the ongoing controversy, Chinese companies have hinted that they may end commercial ties with Messi.
“Industry observers have warned that Messi’s recent actions could lead to a decline in his commercial value in the Chinese market,” the newspaper reported.
Hiroki Watanabe/GC Images/Getty Images Entertainment
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