Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated tour of India got off to a chaotic start on Saturday, with disgruntled fans throwing bottles and attempting to vandalize a stadium after many were unable to catch a glimpse of the soccer star. The incident occurred at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, where Messi was scheduled to appear as part of his three-day “GOAT India Tour”.
According to reports, numerous ticket-holders were left disappointed and frustrated, claiming they failed to see Messi either in person or on the stadium’s big screens, despite waiting for hours. The situation escalated, with irate fans, many of whom were wearing Messi’s Argentina jerseys, throwing seats from the stands and forcing their way past security fences onto the field. Overwhelmed security personnel eventually managed to chase them away, but not before they had attempted to cause further damage. Fortunately, Messi had already left the premises.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologized to Messi for the “mismanagement” of the event, expressing her shock and disturbance at the incident. She also extended her apologies to the fans who had expected more after purchasing tickets. Banerjee announced that a committee would be formed to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident, identify those responsible, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
The “GOAT India Tour” is scheduled to take Messi to Hyderabad and Mumbai before concluding in New Delhi on Monday. The tour features Messi’s longtime teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul. Earlier on Saturday, Messi remotely unveiled a 21-meter statue of himself in Kolkata, which was expected to be a highlight of his visit.
The incident has raised concerns about event management and crowd control in India, particularly for high-profile events featuring international celebrities. The committee’s inquiry is expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the incident and provide recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future. With the tour set to continue, organizers will be under pressure to ensure that the remaining events pass off without incident, and that fans are able to enjoy the experience they were promised.