Argentina friendly in China canceled as Messi backlash grows - ESPN

An Argentina friendly in China next month was canceled on Friday in more fallout from Lionel Messi failing to play in an Inter Miami exhibition match in Hong Kong.

World Cup champion Argentina, captained by Messi, last month scheduled a tour of China during the international break March 18-26. Games were lined up against Nigeria in Hangzhou and Ivory Coast in Beijing. Both opponents are coincidentally meeting in the Africa Cup of Nations final this weekend.

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But Messi, on tour with Inter Miami, outraged fans in Hong Kong when he didn't play against a local selection Sunday and remained on the bench. Messi said he had a groin injury. But his excuse didn't wash in Hong Kong after he played for 30 minutes Wednesday in Tokyo against Vissel Kobe.

On Friday, the sports bureau in Hangzhou canceled the Argentina-Nigeria friendly.

«Because of the reasons known to all, we've learned from supervising authorities that the conditions are immature for the match to go forward. Now it's been decided that the match will be canceled,» the Hangzhou Sports Bureau announced on its official social media account.

An Argentine Football Association official told the Association Press it was aware the match was suspended and was looking for another venue to play Nigeria. The official spoke on condition of anonymity, saying, «It's a sensitive matter.»

Ivory Coast's friendly with Argentina in Beijing was going ahead as planned, Ivory Coast team spokesperson Anne-Marie N'Guessan told the AP on Friday.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong organizers of the club friendly with Inter Miami said they will offer a 50% refund following days of backlash from angry fans and the city government.

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