Lionel Messi’s visit to India encountered chaos as fans disrupted an event at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, also known as Salt Lake Stadium. The Argentine soccer star’s brief appearance led to fans throwing objects, tearing up seats, and even storming the pitch. Satadru Dutta, the event organizer, was detained by police, as confirmed by Rajeev Kumar, director general of West Bengal police.
Initially planned for a 45-minute visit, Messi’s appearance was cut short to only 20 minutes. Tickets for the event were priced at around 3,500 rupees ($53.44 Cdn), a significant amount compared to the average weekly income in India. Disgruntled fans expressed disappointment, with one attendee claiming to have paid $130 US ($180 Cdn) for the event.
The stadium, situated in West Bengal’s capital, witnessed fans hurling debris and broken seats onto the field, while some individuals climbed over the fence to throw objects. Eddie Lal Hmangaihzuala, who traveled a considerable distance to attend, criticized the event’s mismanagement, noting Messi’s swift exit due to safety concerns.
Organizers of the tour have yet to comment on the incident. However, West Bengal police have taken action, detaining the main organizer and ensuring ticket refunds as a form of reparation for the chaotic event.
Messi’s India tour includes various engagements such as concerts, youth soccer clinics, a padel tournament, and charitable initiatives in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. Following the disruption, West Bengal’s chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, extended apologies to Messi and initiated an investigation into the incident.
Expressing dismay over the mismanagement at Salt Lake Stadium, Banerjee vowed to investigate and prevent similar occurrences in the future. The soccer-loving states of West Bengal, Kerala, and Goa have traditionally shown strong support for the sport despite cricket’s dominance in India.
Salt Lake Stadium has a history of fan disturbances, with notable incidents during a Kolkata derby match in 2012, where a player was injured by a thrown object. Past soccer legends like Diego Maradona have also graced Kolkata, unveiling statues amidst fanfare. Messi, having previously captained Argentina in a match at the same stadium, unveiled a towering statue of himself in Kolkata on the same day.