24th December 2024 – (Hong Kong) A fan meet-and-greet event for Real Madrid players prior to a legends match against Barcelona has drawn significant criticism following reports of disorganisation and confusion. Fans, who had paid upwards of HK$6,880, were left disappointed as many failed to meet the players or obtain signatures.
Attendees described the event as chaotic, citing lax ticket checks by staff that allowed individuals with tickets for the Barcelona event to access the Real Madrid gathering. Reports indicated that some attendees, wearing official passes, were seen interacting with players, while those who had paid for the experience were left out.
One fan expressed frustration after arriving via an event-provided shuttle only to find that several players were already leaving the venue. Despite a scheduled sequence for player interactions, the disarray meant that opportunities to engage with stars were missed.
The situation escalated when it was revealed that the organisers, Legends Assemble had not adequately prepared for the number of fans present, resulting in a lack of control by the young staff members tasked with managing the crowd. Complaints included unfriendly staff attitudes and poor communication regarding a subsequent signing opportunity, which was announced at the last minute.
In an attempt to rectify the situation, organisers offered fans the chance to have jerseys signed during the match later that day. However, this arrangement also proved problematic, with reports of fans waiting hours without seeing any players.
As a result of the event’s mishaps, many fans have expressed their desire for refunds, highlighting a significant disconnect between the promised experience and the reality presented at the meet-and-greet.
