Editorial | Real Madrid event needs to be a lesson learned
The disappointment of some football fans over a ‘meet-and-greet’ comes less than a year after Lionel Messi failed to play in an exhibition game
Hong Kong’s many football fans usually have to cheer on champions and legends of the sport from afar. This serves to whet their appetite when a chance arises to see them in the flesh – so much so that no price is too high for some to pay to be able to meet them.
A case in point is a “meet-and-greet” event with former greats of Spanish football giants Real Madrid for which dozens of fans, including members of the team’s local fan club, had bought tickets for HK$6,880 each.
Some of the Real stars, including Luis Figo, Roberto Carlos and Fabio Cannavaro, had already left the venue, the Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy, by the time the fans arrived, dashing hopes of a photo with the players and having memorabilia signed.
It seems they left the “meet-and-greet” early to prepare for an exhibition match against Spanish rivals Barcelona. That reflects lack of planning and coordination.
Many fans have complained to the Consumer Council and co-organisers of the Legends Assemble programme, Football Legends, Timewow and ACO Media.
But it is not clear how much refund they can expect, given that they did meet some players including those from Barcelona.
