International friendly: Argentina's clash against Nigeria cancelled over Lionel Messi's decision to not play for Inter Miami in Hong Kong
Amidst criticism over Lionel Messi's decision to not play for Inter Miami in Hong Kong, Chinese sports authorities have cancelled the upcoming friendly between Argentina and Nigeria scheduled for Hangzhou, Nigeriasoccernet.com gathered.
Argentina was supposed to play Nigeria in Hangzhou, China, the next month, and then the Ivory Coast in Beijing. However, Messi's absence from the Inter Miami game in Hong Kong on Sunday infuriated many supporters.
After the Argentine missed out on the pitch during their 4-1 victory over the Hong Kong All-Stars due to injury but returned to the field a few days later in Japan, the match's organizers said that they would refund ticket holders 50% of their purchase.
The outcry intensified on Friday after Hangzhou's sports authorities announced that the friendly between Argentina and Nigeria would no longer take place.
"As a commercial event, a company and the Argentinian soccer team negotiated that the team would play a friendly match in March this year in the city of Hangzhou", the Hangzhou authorities said in a statement.
The Major Sports Events Committee will take follow-up action with the organiser according to the terms and conditions, which includes reducing the amount of funding as a result of Messi not playing the match.
By Olaleye Oluwadamilola
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