’Refund!’: Fans left angry as Lionel Messi sits out Hong Kong friendly

Fans booed after Lionel Messi sat on the bench for the entire 90 minutes of Inter Miami’s pre-season friendly against a Hong Kong XI due to a hamstring strain. Subscribe to Guardian Football ► Luis Suárez also failed to take to the pitch because of a knee injury he picked up in Saudi Arabia. The booing became louder in the final minutes with some disappointed fans also chanting ’refund’ at the Hong Kong Stadium. After the match, which the MLS side won 4-1, Inter Miami’s head coach Gerardo Martino apologised but explained that ’if we had any possibility that they could have played for a while we would have done it. But to do so would have been taking serious risks and that’s why we took this decision together with the technical staff.’ The Guardian publishes independent journalism, made possible by supporters. Contribute to The Guardian today ► Website ► Facebook ► Twitter ► Instagram ► The Guardian on YouTube: The Guardian ► Guardian News ► Guardian Australia ► Guardian Sport ► Guardian Live ► #InterMiami #HongKong #Messi