The soccer match will cost $16m more than earlier reported - and the government is accused of 'misrepresentation'
It is costing $36 million to bring Real Madrid to Hong Kong - nearly double the amount that had been widely reported.
The sum is $16 million more than had been estimated, although the government had not previously confirmed a figure.
The stellar fee, most of which will come from government funds designated to help re-launch Hong Kong in the wake of the Sars outbreak, includes appearance money, accommodation and transport costs, and an undisclosed but 'substantial' amount for insurance.
'I can confirm it will cost $36 million to bring them here,' said Martin Lam Chun-ying, general secretary of the Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) yesterday.
The HKFA also confirmed the sponsors, who are expected to cover a portion of the fee, although officials would not say how much. They include Orange, 3 (Hutchison's 3G phone arm), Canon, TVB, Grand Hyatt Hotel Hong Kong and Taipan Snowy Mooncakes.
Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services Alan Siu defended spending so much to bring the Spanish team to Hong Kong, where they will play a Hong Kong-China XI next Friday night. He said Hong Kong would reap rewards from hosting the star-studded team, which includes David Beckham, Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Roberto Carlos and Luis Figo.