We learnt a valuable lesson, says HKFA after HK$11 million setback
Local football chief says they are now wary of inviting national sides after suffering crippling financial losses from the Argentina friendly
A top soccer official revealed massive financial losses amounting to HK$11 million for last week's friendly between Argentina and Hong Kong, admitting a valuable lesson had been learned.
Only 20,230 spectators turned out for the match that featured four-times world player of the year, Lionel Messi, bringing in just HK$15 million in gate receipts for the 40,0000-capacity Hong Kong Stadium. Losses were suffered after income generated from commercial sponsors and a 20 per cent government levy on tickets for using the venue, were taken into account.
I would not say we should not invite national teams in future, but we should be very cautious when they ask for huge appearance fees
Pui Kwan-kay, vice chairman of the Hong Kong Football Association, admitted the local governing body had been too confident about filling the stadium and would be more careful in inviting teams in the future. Argentina, this year's World Cup runners-up, cost organisers over HK$30 million to turn up.
"In a long run, we should review the financial implications of bringing national teams to Hong Kong," said Pui.
"They always ask for big appearance fees but they are not as popular as club teams who get live television coverage week in and week out. Big clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Real Madrid have a strong fan base everywhere in the world and have always been the crowd pullers as they have proven in Hong Kong before.
"I would not say we should not invite national teams in future, but we should be very cautious when they ask for huge appearance fees. We also have to make sure the matches are well promoted in Hong Kong."