Consumer Watchdog Logs Over 600 Messi Complaints

Messi (pink hoodie) sits out the exhibition game in Hong Kong

The Lionel Messi debacle continues as the Hong Kong Consumer Council has received over 600 complaints about the Argentine footballer sitting out of the game over the weekend.

Of the 629 complaints, the total claims is about HK4.15 million. While the average claim was around HK$6,599, the highest amount was HK$24,224, and 527 complaints were from local residents.

Wong says council received 629 complaints

"Locals also tended to spend more than tourists on average, probably because the entire family went together," Gilly Wong Fung-han, the council's chief executive, told a radio program on Wednesday Hong Kong time.

"By looking at the amount for each case... you can really tell consumers were quite willing to spend for this football match."

The council was also waiting for organiser Tatler Asia to respond to mediation requests from ticket holders, and that the consumer watchdog had contacted the lifestyle platform.

In the run-up to the game, Messi was heavily promoted, leading fans to believe he would play, but he sat out the entire game, much to the frustration and anger of fans who are demanding a refund.

On Tuesday Messi broke his silence in Tokyo and said it was "a shame" that a thigh-muscle injury prevented him from playing in Hong Kong, and that he hoped to return "whenever he can".

Council waiting for Tatler Asia to respond

But the damage has been done, the star player not even making an effort to interact with fans, let alone shake hands with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.

This insane mess will never end until everyone lays their cards on the table and reveals all. In the meantime the blame game continues and it's hardly assuaging fans' indignation. Even if Messi returns, he won't be welcome in Hong Kong...