Letters | Real Madrid fan meet seemed less about football, more about profit

Readers discuss football fan disappointment in Hong Kong, why BN(O) holders can’t expect a warm welcome back, and a public whipping in Malaysia

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Luis Figo and other players enter the pitch ahead of a friendly match at Hong Kong Stadium on December 20. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 11:30am, 8 Jan 2025

I refer to the article, “Hong Kong watchdog receives 19 complaints over Real Madrid fan meet fiasco” (December 23).

Football is a simple way to make players and spectators happy, and it pains me to see people paying unreasonable prices for football and becoming aggrieved.

The “Legends Assemble” exhibition match in Hong Kong portended a perfect storm when ticket prices were announced, ranging from HK$680 to HK$2,480 per person; a similar exhibition match in January last year had been priced in the range of HK$280 to HK$980 only.

In terms of pricing, the “Legends Assemble” match reminded me of Inter Miami’s infamous Hong Kong friendly match, which had spectators paying up to HK$4,880 per ticket. More shockingly, organisers of the recent game also charged some fans HK$6,880 each for a chance to get the autographs of superstars including Luis Figo.

It appears to me that instead of bringing in footballers for an event that would be fun for a big crowd, this event was more about using star players to get as much money out of fans as possible, never mind the public reaction.

The fans have complained to the Consumer Council, but Figo is gone and it is unlikely that they will get a meaningful refund.