Lionel Messi’s visit to India encountered chaos on Saturday when fans at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, also known as Salt Lake Stadium, reacted with aggression, throwing objects, damaging seats, and storming the field after the Argentine soccer star’s brief appearance at a ticketed event. The event’s chief organizer, Satadru Dutta, was apprehended by the West Bengal police, as confirmed by Rajeev Kumar, the director general of the police force.
Initially planned for a 45-minute appearance, Messi’s time at the stadium was cut short to just 20 minutes, leaving disappointed fans who had paid a significant amount for tickets, with some stating they had shelled out more than the average weekly income in India. The chaotic scene involved fans hurling torn seats and various items onto the field, with some breaching the field’s fence to throw objects.
Expressing disbelief at the mismanagement, a fan named Eddie Lal Hmangaihzuala, who traveled a considerable distance to attend, lamented the situation, noting Messi’s swift departure due to safety concerns. The tour organizers did not immediately respond to requests for comments, while the police took action against the main organizer, ensuring that ticket refunds were promised.
Present in India for a series of events including concerts, soccer clinics, and charity initiatives across Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi, Messi’s visit took an unfortunate turn in Kolkata. The chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, issued an apology to Messi and initiated an investigation into the incident, denouncing the mismanagement witnessed at the stadium.
Banerjee expressed her deep concern over the chaos and offered apologies to Messi, sports enthusiasts, and fans for the regrettable turn of events. She announced the formation of a committee to conduct a thorough inquiry, assign accountability, and recommend preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.
While soccer enjoys significant popularity in states like West Bengal, Kerala, and Goa in a cricket-dominated India, Salt Lake Stadium has a history of fan disturbances, with past incidents leading to match abandonments and injuries. Notable soccer figures like Diego Maradona have also experienced fervent receptions in Kolkata, with Messi himself having memorable moments at the stadium, including unveiling a towering statue earlier on the same day of the chaotic event.
