Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog has received 17 complaints, after some local football fans failed to meet legendary players from Real Madrid CF, as promised for an exhibition match with ticket packages costing almost HK$7,000.
An exhibition match between Spanish professional football clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona held in Hong Kong on December 20, 2024. Photo: Real Madrid Hong Kong Fans Club.
An exhibition match between Spanish professional football clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona held in Hong Kong on December 20, 2024. Photo: Real Madrid Hong Kong Fans Club.
As of 11 am on Monday, the Consumer Council had received 17 complaints involving an amount of HK$125,017, with a single complaint amounting to HK$13,761, the watchdog told HKFP on Monday.
The grievances were related to a meet-and-greet session held last Friday ahead of a match featuring star players from Spanish professional football clubs Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona. The signings, and one-on-one photo-taking opportunities, with 10 footballers from either team were part of the “Experience Set” ticket that retailed for HK$6,880.
According to Real Madrid Hong Kong Fans Club, there were more than 30 people who waited in line to see their idols on the day of the meet-and-greet event. But before all could enter the venue, some staff told fans that the session for Real Madrid fans was over, as they asked them to leave given that the Barcelona session was about to begin.
After liaising with the staff, the fans who were still waiting were eventually able to get into the venue. However, star footballers Luís Figo, Roberto Carlos and Fabio Cannavaro had left, while Iker Casillas stayed for a short time period only.
Furious fans
June Lee, president of the local fan club, said last Saturday that members were left furious and complained to the organisers. They offered to collect jerseys and other items from the fans affected and give them to the footballers for signing, as well as a group photo opportunity at the Hong Kong Stadium where the match was held last Friday evening.
An exhibition match between Spanish professional football clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona held in Hong Kong on December 20, 2024. Photo: Real Madrid Hong Kong Fans Club.
An exhibition match between Spanish professional football clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona held in Hong Kong on December 20, 2024. Photo: Real Madrid Hong Kong Fans Club.
But the fan club said no group photo was taken in the end, and fans could only ask one of the four footballers who left early to sign their item. The club also alleged that the organisers lost a jersey during the process.
“I hope everyone understands that, after following certain stars for 10 to 20 years, finally being able to meet them is something heartfelt that cannot be measured by price. Some people just don’t appreciate the genuineness of fans; they see it merely as a way to make money,” Lee, who did not attend the event herself, wrote in Chinese on the fan club Facebook page.
‘Prepare for the match’
In a statement released on Sunday evening, the organiser, Legends Assemble, said some football stars had left the signing event early because they wanted to “better prepare for the match.”
“The organiser once again apologises on behalf of all stakeholders to those affected and is discussing follow-up arrangements with the stakeholders. [We] hope we can gain the understanding of the affected individuals,” the Chinese statement read.
Regarding the claim that the organisers quit a public WhatsApp group following the meet-and-greet chaos, Legends Assemble said they left because the group was meant for ticket sales. They had remained in touch with the representatives of the fan club throughout, they said.
A poster for an exhibition match between Spanish professional football clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona held in Hong Kong on December 20, 2024. Photo: Legends Assemble, via Facebook.
A poster for an exhibition match between Spanish professional football clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona held in Hong Kong on December 20, 2024. Photo: Legends Assemble, via Facebook.
Legends Assemble added that a WhatsApp hotline was set up for the public to reach out, and they would announce the latest news there.
Local media reported on Sunday that the police received reports from two men concerning the event chaos. The Customs and Excise Department also confirmed that they had received complaints and said they would take law enforcement action if there was any violation of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.
Mega event fiasco
The meet-and-greet incident last Friday was not the first controversy surrounding a taxpayer-subsidised mega sporting event in Hong Kong. In February, Argentine football icon Lionel Messi sat out a friendly match between US Inter Miami CF and the city’s representative team, stirring public anger and criticism from government officials.
More than 400 complaints were filed to the consumer watchdog.
The event organiser, Tatler Asia, later withdrew a bid for a HK$16 million government grant and offered 50 per cent refund to fans amid pressure from officials and the public.
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