By Paul Kennedy
Plans for a charity match billed as the Battle of the Stars: Messi and Friends vs. The Rest of the World Wednesday night at the LosAngeles Coliseum were scrapped when promoters sent out word late Tuesday that the event had been canceled.
The promoters immediately blamed Argentine starLionel Messi‘s unwillingness to perform his contractual obligation to participate as the reason the game was canceled.
“After hours of trying to convince Lionel Messi’s managementteam to fulfill their contractual agreement and come to Los Angeles,” said Todd Graham, the CEO of presenting sponsor El Padrino Spirits, “it is clear they haveno respect for these fans and this market. We feel that this is a blatant attempt to defraud American citizens and businesses that sponsored this event.”
Other players promoters listed asanticipated participants included Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Busquets, Alex Song,Javier Mascherano — all current Barcelona teammates — plus the likes of Polish star Robert Lewandowski and Mexicanstars Giovani Dos Santos, Gerardo Torrado, Jesus Corona and
Wednesday’s game, plus a second gameSaturday in Chicago, were both listed as sanctioned matches on U.S. Soccer’s list of international matches.
Messi and the likes of Neymar played Tuesday night in Lima, Peru, in the second game of the tour. The all-star series kicked off with a game inMedellin, Colombia, over the weekend. The fate of the match in Chicago was unknown though early Wednesday morning the web site messichicago.com featuring a videoof Messi promoting the game at Soldier Field was still up.
“In all the years I’ve been doing live events,” added Ralina Shaw, the vice president ofpublic relations for El Padrino Spirits, “I have never encountered a situation like this. It’s unfortunate because the only losers in this scenario are the fans that were looking forward to the game,and the City of Los Angeles.”
CONFEDERATIONS CUP VIEWERS. The Brazil-Spain final at the Confederations Cup averaged almost 6 million viewers onUnivision and ESPN. Univision averaged 4 million viewers, while 1,952,000 watched on ESPN.
Univision networks averaged 1.6 million viewers for the tournament’s 16 matches — up 99percent from the 2009 tournament (where Mexico did not participate).
UNION EXTENDS TOYOTA DEAL. The Philadelphia Union extended its partnership withTri-State Toyota Dealers, making it the MLS club’s official and exclusive automobile partner. A Union-themed Toyota Highlander will continue to serve as the club’s official promotional vehicle.
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I didn’t get this. All these world stars played in Peru on Tuesday and were supposed to play in LA on Wednesday? Do businessmen think soccer players are machines?
Last night in Lima, Peru, Messi and friends beat Neymar and friends 8-5. both Messi and Neymar scored twice and neymar missed a PK. The last goal of the game was a beautiful strike by Neymar from the midfield circle. See the highlight here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPsJAcMwDGw
Aren’t we at the point where these types of matches aren’t needed any more. Between MLS, lower level (NASL, USLPro) and the upcoming Gold Cup. Why would someone go see this?
“Messi and Friends”…sounds like the opening act for a summer concert tour. Kinda of a joke really; I agree with Rob above – who needs it.
Rob & Bill, would rather see turnovers rather than technical skill on the pitch.