Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog has received 16 complaints involving about HK$118,000 (US$15,200) from disappointed fans who were unable to meet football legends from visiting club Real Madrid at an exhibition game after paying nearly HK$7,000 each for the experience.
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“The organiser should explain to each consumer separately. I hope [it] can be more flexible in settling the disputes,” Consumer Council chief executive Gilly Wong Fung-han told a radio show on Monday, three days after the event, citing the organisers as saying they would not be issuing full refunds.
On Sunday night, organisers of the “Legends Assemble” programme said they had set up a WhatsApp hotline for the public and had been in contact with the complainants. But they did not at the time mention if refunds would be issued.
The dispute arose from a fan meet-and-greet event, co-organised by World Football Legends, Timewow and ACO Media, that take took place hours before last Friday’s exhibition game between former greats of Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona in Hong Kong Stadium.
Fans were charged HK$6,880 for each “Experience Set” ticket, which would allow them to meet players from either of the teams at the Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy.
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June Lee, president of the Real Madrid Hong Kong Official Fans Club, said 26 people had bought tickets to the event but some of the stars, including Luis Figo, Roberto Carlos and Fabio Cannavaro, had already left the venue by the time the fans got there.
Many were furious that they had not got what they paid for, including a photo with each player and having memorabilia signed. Two fans made police reports.