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New Delhi: Lionel Messi’s Kolkata leg of the GOAT India Tour descended into chaos at the Vivekananda Yuvabharati Salt Lake Stadium, with scenes of unrest unfolding inside the venue on December 13.
The visuals from the ground indicated serious mismanagement, as frustrated football fans broke poster hoardings, chairs, threw bottles and began agitating when it became clear that access and visibility were far more restricted than expected.
The situation in the stadium escalated quickly, prompting tight security measures, after Messi left the venue in just 10 minutes alongside other VVIPs. Many fans, who had waited for hours hoping to see the Argentine football star, were left disappointed without a proper glimpse.
The frustration peaked once Messi left the field, which triggered anger among sections of the fans. Fans voiced their anger and said that Messi’s visit in Kolkata had been dominated by celebrity interactions, leaving fans sidelined. The supporters had waited for Messi's arrival for months, but felt excluded from the experience.
"Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi. Why did they call us then. We have got a ticket for 12 thousand, but we were not even able to see his face," a fan said.
"Absolutely terrible event. He came for just 10 minutes. All the leaders and ministers surrounded him. We couldn't see anything. He didn't take a single kick or a single penalty," another fan said.
West Bengal CM Mamta Banerjee issued a statement on X that she was disturbed by the management witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium.
"I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. I was on my way to the stadium to attend the event along with thousands of sports lovers and fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favourite footballer, Lionel Messi," CM wrote on X.
"I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident. I am constituting an enquiry committee under the chairmanship of Justice (Retd.) Ashim Kumar Ray, with the Chief Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Hill Affairs Department, as members,"
"The committee will conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. Once again, I extend my heartfelt apologies to all sports lovers," she added.
Earlier, Messi arrived in Kolkata at midnight on December 13 and unveiled his statue alongside West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan. He also clicked a photo with Shah Rukh's youngest son, Abram Khan. He was also presented with Mohun Bagan jersey at the Salt Lake Stadium. The Argentine footballer left the venue in just 10 minutes and departed for Hyderabad.
