A B.C. man has filed to certify a category motion lawsuit towards the Vancouver Whitecaps following a sold-out match he says was a “bait-and-switch” when soccer famous person Lionel Messi didn’t play.
On Tuesday, Ho Chun submitted a discover of a civil declare within the BC Supreme Court docket, in search of to certify a category motion lawsuit that might see ticket holders for the match partially or absolutely refunded. Main League Soccer was additionally named as a potential defendant.
In accordance with the discover, Chun claims that the soccer organizations promoted the looks of well-known gamers on the Inter Miami CF group — specifically Messi, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets — understanding they may not play.
“Utilizing such promotional supplies as ‘bait,’ the defendants brought on the tickets for the Vancouver v. Miami sport to be listed and offered on the first market at ten occasions increased than the value of different Vancouver Whitecaps residence video games,” the discover says.
“Two days earlier than the Vancouver v. Miami Sport, the Defendants ‘switched’ and introduced that these well-known soccer gamers wouldn’t be attending the sport.”
Chun is in search of refunds for the roughly 50,000 followers who purchased tickets at a major markup.
Since final week, greater than 2,800 individuals have signed a petition calling on the Whitecaps to refund their tickets.
The soccer membership responded to the petition, saying circumstances had been out of its palms.
“Sadly, we’ve no management over who performs for our opponent, and it was essential for us to speak to our followers as quickly as attainable,” mentioned Axel Schuster, Whitecaps FC CEO.
The soccer membership added, “Following the assertion, the membership confirmed on Saturday that each one followers in attendance would obtain a complimentary ticket for a future MLS common season sport in 2024.”
However the CEO didn’t point out whether or not anybody could be getting their a reimbursement.
As of Wednesday, neither the Whitecaps nor Main League Soccer have filed a response to Chun.
Not one of the claims have been confirmed in courtroom.
— With information from Sonia Aslam and Cole Schisler.
