Additional Coverage:
- Police detain organizer of Messi’s India tour after chaos breaks out at brief appearance (nbcnews.com)
Chaos Erupts at Kolkata Stadium During Messi’s Brief Appearance, Organizer Detained
Kolkata, India – A highly anticipated appearance by Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi in Kolkata on Saturday quickly devolved into chaos, as disgruntled fans, angered by his brief presence at a ticketed event, threw objects, damaged stadium property, and invaded the pitch. The incident has led to the detention of the event’s chief organizer and a formal apology from the Chief Minister of West Bengal.
Messi, who was scheduled for a 45-minute visit to the Salt Lake Stadium, only appeared for approximately 20 minutes. Tickets for the event were steep, starting at around 3,500 rupees ($38.65), a significant sum considering India’s average weekly income. Some fans reported paying as much as $130 for a glimpse of the soccer icon.
Following Messi’s swift departure, the atmosphere in the stadium turned volatile. Spectators in the Salt Lake stadium, located in the capital of West Bengal, began throwing ripped-up seats and other objects onto the field. Several individuals also scaled the perimeter fence and hurled items onto the playing area.
Eddie Lal Hmangaihzuala, a fan who traveled nearly 1,500 kilometers over two days to attend the event, expressed his dismay to Reuters. “I can’t believe there was so much mismanagement,” he stated.
“Messi left quickly, I think he felt unsafe. I hardly got a glimpse of him.”
Rajeev Kumar, Director General of West Bengal police, confirmed the detention of Satadru Dutta, the event’s chief organizer. “We’ve already detained the main organizer,” Kumar told reporters.
“We’re taking action so that this mismanagement does not go unpunished.” He added that Dutta has pledged in writing to issue refunds for tickets sold for the event.
The organizers of the tour have not yet responded to requests for comment.
Chief Minister Apologizes, Orders Probe
Messi is currently on a multi-city tour of India, which includes planned concerts, youth football clinics, a padel tournament, and charitable initiatives in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was en route to the event when the unrest began, issued a public apology to Messi and ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident. “I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake stadium,” Banerjee posted on X. “I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident.”
Banerjee announced the formation of a committee to investigate the matter, assign responsibility, and recommend preventative measures for future events.
West Bengal, along with Kerala and Goa, stands out for its strong football following in a nation predominantly obsessed with cricket. Salt Lake Stadium has a history of fan disturbances, including a 2012 Kolkata derby match that was abandoned after a player was seriously injured by a brick thrown from the stands.
This incident marks Messi’s second visit to Kolkata; he previously captained Argentina in a 1-0 friendly win over Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium in 2011. Earlier on Saturday, Messi virtually unveiled a 70-foot statue of himself in Kolkata, a testament to his immense popularity in the region. Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona also visited Kolkata twice, notably unveiling a statue of himself there in 2017.