Fans in Hong Kong were left upset after spending Rs 76,000 (HK$7,000) for a chance to meet Real Madrid players. They were promised a meet-and-greet session before the match, but most couldn’t even get a glimpse of their idols. This incident occurred during a friendly game between the Real Madrid and Barcelona Legends teams at the Hong Kong Stadium on Friday.
Unmet Expectations for Fans
Those who bought the expensive “Experience Set” tickets expected to meet players, as stated in the event details. However, many fans were disappointed due to poor organization or overselling of tickets. June Lee, president of the Real Madrid Hong Kong Official Fans Club, explained that several members could not meet the players. She said, “On Friday morning, they had a meet-and-greet at the Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy, and we had 26 members who bought the HK$6,880 ticket to get inside.”
By the time the fans arrived, stars like Luis Figo, Roberto Carlos, and Fabio Cannavaro had already left.
Problems at the Meet-and-Greet
Ian Holahan, director of World Football Legends (WFL), who co-organized the event, described several issues during the session. He said, “The players were there to sign autographs and take photographs. Some people arrived late, and some people arrived without tickets. Also, people tried to get more than one item signed per person.”
No Refunds Offered
When asked if fans would be reimbursed, Holahan passed the blame to the co-organizers. “The event, including the autograph session, was organized by Timewow. As such, they would be the best point of contact for any inquiries or concerns regarding the event arrangements and delivery,” Holahan responded.
A Disappointing Match
The frustration continued with the match. Instead of a thrilling game, fans were disappointed by a lackluster performance. Only 7,982 fans attended the match, where Barcelona Legends triumphed 5-2. Many fans took to social media, sharing pictures of the empty stadium. They claimed that better management could have filled the stadium.