2024-02-20T07:37:00+00:00
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/ The Argentine star, Lionel Messi, denied the accusations in opposition to him, together with that there have been political motives for not enjoying a pleasant match for his workforce Inter Miami in Hong Kong, stressing that his absence was resulting from damage solely.
Sharp criticism was directed on the Argentine star, together with accusing him of “ignoring” his followers, or of getting “political motives.”
In a video clip posted on the Chinese language social networking website Weibo, Messi rejected discuss that his non-participation within the match was for “political causes,” and mentioned that if that have been the case, “I might not have traveled” to Hong Kong within the first place.
“As everybody is aware of, I all the time need to play and be in each match,” he added.
The 8-time Ballon d’Or winner remained on the bench all through the pleasant match between Inter Miami and a workforce of league stars in Hong Kong (4-1) on February 4th.
His non-attendance sparked boos and requires refunds from 1000’s of followers who spent giant sums of cash to look at the captain who received the World Cup on the finish of final 12 months play in Hong Kong, a semi-autonomous Chinese language area.
However when the Argentine star performed half-hour of his workforce’s pleasant match in opposition to Japanese League champion Vissel Kobe just a few days later, discontent elevated in China.
The corporate that organized the assembly in Hong Kong, Tatler Asia, introduced its “deep remorse” and promised those that purchased tickets a 50 p.c refund of their cash.
The corporate mentioned: “Accidents are a part of soccer and we perceive that. Nevertheless, we have been saddened that the gamers didn’t present sufficient respect to the followers in attendance.”
She added with remorse: “We instantly requested the house owners and administration of Inter Miami to induce Messi to seem in entrance of the viewers and clarify to them personally why he was unable to play. However that didn’t occur ultimately.”