Angry fans attending Lionel Messi's tour of India ripped up seats and threw items towards the pitch after his appearance at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium. Thousands of adoring supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees (£100; $133) to catch a glimpse of the football star, but were left disappointed when he emerged to walk around the pitch and was obscured by a large group of officials and celebrities.
When the Argentina and Inter Miami forward was whisked away early by security after around 20 minutes, elements of the crowd turned hostile.
West Bengal's chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, said she was deeply disturbed and shocked by the events. Announcing an enquiry, Banerjee apologized to Messi and sports lovers for the incident. The [enquiry] committee will conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future, the chief minister said on X.
A spokesperson for Messi stated he fulfilled the time commitment agreed upon, while the event has been described as poorly organized. A police official mentioned that the event’s chief organizer had been arrested.
Messi's promotional tour in India includes stops in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi, and is part of his 'GOAT' tour. This particular event was supposed to showcase Messi alongside other legends, but the reality fell short for the fans who eagerly gathered to see him in person.
Despite the fury, many fans expressed a deep desire to catch a glimpse of Messi, showcasing the passion for football in a cricket-centric country like India.
When the Argentina and Inter Miami forward was whisked away early by security after around 20 minutes, elements of the crowd turned hostile.
West Bengal's chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, said she was deeply disturbed and shocked by the events. Announcing an enquiry, Banerjee apologized to Messi and sports lovers for the incident. The [enquiry] committee will conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future, the chief minister said on X.
A spokesperson for Messi stated he fulfilled the time commitment agreed upon, while the event has been described as poorly organized. A police official mentioned that the event’s chief organizer had been arrested.
Messi's promotional tour in India includes stops in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi, and is part of his 'GOAT' tour. This particular event was supposed to showcase Messi alongside other legends, but the reality fell short for the fans who eagerly gathered to see him in person.
Despite the fury, many fans expressed a deep desire to catch a glimpse of Messi, showcasing the passion for football in a cricket-centric country like India.
