Whitecaps FC to settle class-action lawsuit with fans over Messi no-show in Vancouver

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC has reached a proposed settlement in a class-action lawsuit filed by fans who felt misled after Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets did not play in a highly anticipated match in May 2024. Fans had voiced their displeasure during the game with chants of “Where is Messi?” and subsequently filed a lawsuit accusing the club and Major League Soccer of deceptive promotions. The proposed settlement includes updates to the Whitecaps’ ticketing policies to clarify that team rosters are subject to change, a $475,000 charitable donation to KidSport BC, Canada SCORES, and BGC South Coast BC, and a request for Ticketmaster to add a disclaimer regarding guaranteed player appearances. However, the settlement does not offer direct financial compensation to the fans. While the defendants deny any wrongdoing, over 3,000 people had signed a petition seeking refunds due to inflated ticket prices, which were reportedly ten times higher than typical Whitecaps games. The settlement is subject to court approval in February 2026, where its fairness and the allocation of legal fees will be determined.

(Source：CHEK News)