Fans were frustrated over unmet promises regarding photo opportunities and autographs with athletes from Real Madrid and Barcelona. Xinhua
Fans were frustrated over unmet promises regarding photo opportunities and autographs with athletes from Real Madrid and Barcelona. Xinhua
Gilly Wong Sing Tao
Gilly Wong Sing Tao
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Adelyn Lau and Marcus Lum
The organizer of an exhibition match between Real Madrid and Barcelona legends may not have broken the law, despite widespread dissatisfaction among football fans.
Gilly Wong Fung-han, the chief executive of the Consumer Council, said the watchdog received 17 complaints totaling around HK$125,000 as of 11am yesterday.
Fans who purchased a HK$6,880 ticket package expressed frustration over unmet promises regarding photo opportunities and autographs with the athletes. Some complaints have even been reported to the police.
Wong acknowledged that while the organizer's handling of the situation was inadequate, it may not have violated the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.
"We haven't received complaints from fans of Real Madrid, which suggests the organizer partially fulfilled their promises," she said.
Wong characterized the situation as a "basic consumer dispute" and urged the organizer, Legends Assemble, to address each complaint more compassionately.
Although some complainants are seeking refunds, the organizer contends that full refunds are not feasible, as each case varies - some fans received more photos and signatures than others.
She recommended complainants retain their receipts and group photos to aid in discussions about compensation.
If they are dissatisfied with the organizer's response, they can escalate their claims to the Small Claims Tribunal.
One disappointed fan, Martin, shared his experience saying the signing session was scheduled to begin at 11am, but fans were not allowed entry until 11.50am. Upon entering, he found that notable players like Roberto Carlos and Luis Figo had already left, and fans were informed that the event would conclude shortly thereafter.
"It's impossible to get all the players' signatures in just 10 to 15 minutes," he said, adding that fans who attempted to chase after the players for autographs were stopped by security.
Martin also expressed a loss of confidence in future events in Hong Kong, citing a lackluster atmosphere with fewer than 8,000 attendees and ticket prices significantly higher than in other countries. "If there's a next time, I'd rather fly to Japan to watch an exhibition," he said.
Another fan, Wong, reported that he could only take photos behind two players without obtaining individual pictures or signatures.
Wong stayed at the venue for about 20 minutes during the photoshoot, by which time several players had already left. He expressed his shock and disappointment, describing the arrangements as unreasonable and stating that they detracted from the overall match experience.