Hong Kong police arrest advertising man over FC Barcelona match claims

Boss arrested a week after Winman Advertising and Entertaining Group said it had intended to put on a match but was rejected by venue

Reading Time:2 minutes

Star striker Robert Lewandowski celebrates after scoring for Barcelona in a recent Champions league match. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 12:54am, 17 Jan 2025Updated: 1:56am, 17 Jan 2025

Police have arrested an advertising company boss who said he had successfully invited Spanish football giants FC Barcelona to Hong Kong but was rejected by the match venue and released the image of an allegedly fake email to back up his claim.

The arrest of the man on Thursday came a week after organiser Winman Advertising and Entertaining Group issued a press release saying it had intended to put on a football match involving Barcelona in July at a new 50,000-seat stadium in Kai Tak Sports Park.

The announcement drew widespread media attention.

The company said Barcelona had agreed to visit Hong Kong but the soon-to-open sports park had rejected its application to use Kai Tak Stadium.

“Police do not rule out the possibility that some people may be wishful thinkers, believing they had the capability to facilitate international sporting events,” Chief Inspector Sun Yi-ki from the force’s cybersecurity and technology crime bureau.

“But due to a lack of experience and improper arrangements, these wishes did not materialise. Subsequently, they shifted the blame, misled the media … attempting to divert public attention.”

Chief Inspector Sun Yi-ki says some wishful thinking may be involved in the case. Photo: Handout