The 'heartbroken' organizer of Inter Miami's friendly in Hong Kong has hit out at Lionel Messi in a brutal statement for missing the game last week injured - and says his 30 minute appearance in the team's next game in Japan was 'a slap in the face'.
Messi and new Miami signing Luis Suarez were both deemed unable to play in the 4-1 win over a Hong Kong XI, with 40,000 fans in attendance having paid up to $460 to be there.
Furious fans booed David Beckham, the Miami co-owner, and organizers are now offered 50% refunds as the backlash continues - with Messi and Suarez's return in the next game against Vissel Kobe in Japan seemingly angering people more.
Tatler Asia have now claimed they asked Messi to address fans in the stadium to 'explain why he couldn't play' due to a groin injury and that his return in the next game, vs Vissel Kobe, insulted them further.
'An event that we had hoped to be the pride of the city, and which we have worked very hard on for months, has become the source of great heartbreak,' the Tatler Asia said.
'We put our blood and sweat into bringing a world-class football match to Hong Kong and we were let down along with all of you.
'Inter Miami had committed under contract that all of their marquee players — Messi, Alba, Busquets and Suarez — would be required to play for 45 minutes unless injured. But as it turned out, we were informed that Messi and Suarez could not play due to injury.
'Injuries are part of the game. But what upsets us was the seeming lack of respect shown to the crowd.
'When we learned that Messi would not be playing, we pleaded with Inter Miami CF ownership and management to urge him to stand up, engage with the spectators and explain why he couldn't play. He didn't. The fact that
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