Connect with us

SportsNews

China sports authorities cancel Argentina vs Nigeria friendly amid backlash over Lionel Messi’s failure to play for Inter Miami in Hong Kong

Published

10 months ago

on

Spread the love

The Chinese sporting authorities have cancelled next month’s friendly international between Argentina and Nigeria over Lionel Messi’s failure to play in an Inter Miami friendly match in Hong Kong last week.

Argentina were scheduled to play Nigeria in the Chinese city of Hangzhou next month before facing the Ivory Coast in Beijing, but Messi’s failure to take to the field for Inter Miami in Hong Kong on Sunday sparked outrage among fans.

The organiser of the Hong Kong match said they would give fans a 50% refund for tickets after the former Barcelona star did not take the field during their 4-1 win against Hong Kong All-Stars due to injury, but played in Japan days later.

On Friday, Hangzhou sports authorities announced that Argentina’s friendly against Nigeria would no longer take place.

‘As a commercial event, a company and the Argentinian soccer team negotiated that the team would play a friendly match in March this year in the city of Hangzhou,’ the Hangzhou authorities said in a statement.

“In view of the current well-known reasons, according to the competent authorities, conditions to hold the friendly match are not mature, therefore (we) have decided to cancel it.”

Tatler Asia, a privately owned publishing and lifestyle company, said in a statement on its Instagram page that it was “deeply sorry” and “heartbroken” that fans were let down after Messi stayed on the bench during Sunday’s match.

The match in Hong Kong drew 40,000 fans, with some spectators paying up to nearly HK$5,000 ($640) per ticket.

The cost of all match tickets bought from official channels can be 50% refunded, Tatler said, adding that it had been in discussions with the Hong Kong government to resolve the issue.

Inter Miami head coach Gerardo “Tata” Martino said Messi was deemed unfit to play in the friendly in Hong Kong, but he came on as a 60th minute substitute against Vissel Kobe on Wednesday.

“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,” Tatler said.

“He didn’t. The fact that Messi and (team mate Luis) Suarez played in Japan on Feb. 7 feels like another slap in the face.”

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

SportsNews

Ugwumba Uche Nwosu the former Chief of Staff and Son in-law of former Governor of Imo State Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has donated 1000 tickets for Heartland FC of Owerri fans for the Oriental Derby between Heartland Football Club of Owerri and Rangers Football Club of Enugu.

Published

4 days ago

on

November 23, 2024

By

Spread the love

Ugwumba Uche Nwosu the former Chief of Staff and Son in-law of former Governor of Imo State Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has donated 1000 tickets for Heartland FC of Owerri fans for the Oriental Derby between Heartland Football Club of Owerri and Rangers Football Club of Enugu.

The game is slated for today Saturday, 23rd November, 2024 at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri by 4:PM.

created by photogrid

Kindly follow ekwutosblog for verified News and Current Affairs in addition to insightful contents that inform, inspire, educate and entertain you always.

Continue Reading

SportsNews

IWUANYANWU NATIONALE 1988.

Published

6 days ago

on

November 21, 2024

By

Spread the love

 

Back row (l-r): Edward Ansah, Cyril Levi, Toyin Ayinla, Godwin Eke, Thompson Oliha, Mike Obi, Wahab Haruna, Samson Ozogula, Andrew Uwe.

Squatting (l-r): Lawrence Okaegbu, Ramson Madu, Uwem Ekarika, Uwakwe Eke, Paul Uzokwe, Peter Nieketien and Friday Ekpo.

#tbt

Continue Reading

SportsNews

The list of 24 teams that qualified for 2025 AFCON

Published

1 week ago

on

November 20, 2024

By

Spread the love

 

The lineup for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is now complete, promising a thrilling competition hosted by Morocco in December next year.

The tournament will feature 24 teams, including a mix of seasoned champions and ambitious underdogs. Here’s a recap:

Qualified Nations:

Morocco (Hosts)

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Algeria

DR Congo

Senegal

Egypt

Angola

Equatorial Guinea

Côte d’Ivoire (Defending Champions)

Uganda

South Africa

Gabon

Tunisia

Nigeria

Zambia

Mali

Zimbabwe

Comoros

Sudan

Benin

Tanzania

Botswana

Mozambique

Highlights:

1. Host Advantage: Morocco automatically qualifies as the host nation, setting the stage for a passionate home crowd.

2. Returning Champions: Former AFCON winners Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, and Côte d’Ivoire will vie for continental glory.

3. Iconic Teams: Powerhouses like Nigeria, Tunisia, and South Africa ensure a highly competitive tournament.

4. Comebacks: Botswana makes a notable return after 12 years, alongside teams like DR Congo, Angola, and Gabon.

5. Last-Minute Thrills: Sudan and Benin clinched their places on the final day of qualifiers, with Mozambique claiming the last spot after a decisive 2-1 victory over Guinea-Bissau.

This diverse lineup guarantees an electrifying AFCON 2025, where teams will battle for supremacy and pride on Africa’s grandest footballing stage.

Kindly follow #StateofImo.for verified News and Current Affairs in addition to insightful contents that inform, inspire, educate and entertain you always.

Continue Reading

Trending