A South Korean court on Tuesday ordered a local promoter to compensate fans who did not see star Cristiano Ronaldo in action on the lawn during a Juventus Turin friendly match in late July in Seoul.
Ronaldo remained on the bench during the Bianconeri’s confrontation with an all-star team from the K-League (3-3), the South Korean championship, despite repeated calls from the 65,000 spectators who came to fill the capital stadium. The medical staff of the club had recommended that he remains at rest because of muscle fatigue.
The promoter of the match, The Fasta, had however insisted on the participation of the Portuguese striker, who will celebrate his 35th birthday this Wednesday, and the tickets (between 23 and 300 euros) had been sold in the space of a few minutes.
Other complainants
Two fans, who had sued the marketing agency for false advertising, won their case before the Incheon District Court which forced the promoter to pay them 282 euros each, according to local news agency Yonhap.
Other complainants turned to the Seoul District Central Court.
No action has been taken against Ronaldo or his club.
In this case, a criminal complaint had been lodged against the agency The Fasta and the South Korean police had searched the agency’s premises in August.
The promoter was accused of defrauding some 6 billion won (4.4 million euros) in ticket sales, claiming that in the contract with Juve included a clause ensuring the presence of the Portuguese star on the ground during at least 45 minutes.
Created: 04.02.2020, 20h17
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