Vancouver Whitecaps to settle fan lawsuit claiming Messi no-show
The Vancouver Whitecaps and MLS have proposed a settlement in a lawsuit filed by fans who felt misled by advertising promising appearances by Lionel Messi and other Inter Miami players.Summary
A class-action lawsuit against the Vancouver Whitecaps and Major League Soccer regarding Lionel Messi’s non-appearance in a May 25, 2024 match has reached a proposed settlement. Fans who attended the game, which Inter Miami won 2-1, expressed their disappointment with chants of “Where is Messi,” as the game was heavily advertised featuring Messi, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets. The settlement, which requires court approval, includes a $475,000 charitable donation and updates to the Whitecaps’ ticketing policies to clarify that player appearances are not guaranteed. Specifically, the Whitecaps will update their ticketing terms and add a pop-up notice on Ticketmaster’s website stating this. While the Whitecaps and MLS continue to deny any wrongdoing or liability, class members have until January 28, 2026, to opt out of the settlement.
(Source：Global News)