KOLKATA: Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated tour of India began on a sour note on Saturday after chaotic scenes erupted at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, forcing the Argentine superstar to cut short his appearance at a ticketed event. Angry fans threw objects onto the pitch, ripped up seats and invaded the field after Messi stayed for only 20 minutes instead of the scheduled 45.
Tickets for the event were priced from around 3,500 rupees, with some fans claiming to have paid as much as $130, heightening frustration when Messi’s visit ended abruptly. One supporter, Eddie Lal Hmangaihzuala, who travelled nearly 1,500 km from Mizoram, described the situation as shocking, saying he barely caught a glimpse of his idol and believed Messi left due to safety concerns.
Police detained the event’s chief organiser, Satadru Dutta, with West Bengal Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar confirming action over what he called serious mismanagement. Kumar added that the organiser had pledged in writing that tickets sold for the event would be refunded.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologised to Messi and fans, ordering a probe into the incident. “I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium,” she said, extending a personal apology to Messi and sports lovers across the country.
