When Lionel Messi visited the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata for the start of his India tour on Saturday, December 13, the huge crowd of fans present created chaos and anger, as the dream of seeing the Argentine star remained unfulfilled.
Angry fans at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata threw torn-up stadium seats, water bottles, and other objects onto the field and track, while several people climbed the fence surrounding the stadium and threw objects, video from Indian news agency ANI showed, after an appearance that lasted 20 minutes.
When Messi entered the stadium, he was surrounded by VIPs, politicians, and security guards, which made it difficult for the spectators to see him properly, leading to frustration and anger among fans, according to various Indian media reports.
The state police have arrested Satadru Dutta, the main organizer of the Messi event, after a chaotic situation at the stadium and anger from fans, according to The Tribune. An investigation is underway into how the chaotic situation arose.
“Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi…Why did they call us then… We have got a ticket for 12 thousand (rupees), but we were not even able to see his face…” a Messi fan at the stadium told ANI.
Soccer star Messi is in India as part of a tour where he has a huge fan base. The Argentine star is scheduled to perform concerts, attend youth football clinics, attend a paddle tournament, and launch a charity initiative in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
Following the incident, state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her grief and wrote on the social media platform, X: “I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. I was on my way to the stadium to attend the event along with thousands of sports lovers and fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favourite footballer, Lionel Messi”.
“I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident.”
This is not Messi’s first visit to Kolkata; he previously participated in a friendly match at the Salt Lake Stadium in 2011, where Argentina defeated Venezuela 1-0. 2022 World Cup winner Messi on Saturday virtually unveiled a 70-foot-tall statue of himself at the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Kolkata’s Lake Town, which highlights his popularity.
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