‘Some external forces have applied all kinds of tricks to justify, cover up and beautify Lai,’ says spokesman of China’s foreign ministry arm in Hong Kong.
Lionel Messi’s absence from Inter Miami’s friendly in Hong Kong on Sunday has been labelled a “deliberate and calculated snub” after he played in Japan three days later.
Messi remained on the bench for Miami during their 4-1 victory over a Hong Kong XI, with coach Tata Martino later explaining it was due to an ongoing injury for his star player.
The Hong Kong government said it was “extremely disappointed” by Messi’s absence and demanded an explanation from event organisers with the situation only escalating further when the 36-year-old did feature.