Soccer superstar Lionel Messi’s inability to appear for a match between Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami CF and Vancouver Whitecaps prompted a British Columbia man to file a class action on behalf of fans “anywhere in the world” who purchased tickets for the event.
Ho Chun said in his June 4 lawsuit filed in British Columbia’s Supreme Court that the teams pulled a classic “bait-and-switch” by promoting appearances by Inter Miami stars Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets at the May 25 match knowing they might not play.
Two days before the event, it was announced that none of the stars would appear at the game. Mr. Chun had paid $404 for a pair of tickets to attend.
Mr. Chun says the Whitecaps heavily promoted the stars’ appearances, resulting in a sold–out game and driving up ticket prices on resale websites to up to 10 times more than face value.
He is seeking a full refund for tickets for the game that were not used and a partial refund for tickets that were used. Mr. Chun claims the Whitecaps and MLS violated British Columbia’s Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act and Canada’s Competition Act.
