Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated visit to Kolkata ended in chaos as fans, frustrated by poor management and excessive VIP access, resorted to vandalism. After a brief 22-minute appearance at Salt Lake Stadium, where he was obstructed from view, spectators erupted in violence.
A much-anticipated appearance by football superstar Lionel Messi at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium erupted into chaos on Saturday, as thousands of spectators, blocked from seeing him amid what they alleged was gross mismanagement and unchecked VIP crowding, resorted to vandalism, leading to police action, arrests, injuries and a high-level inquiry ordered by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Top 10 Key Points: Messi’s Chaotic Kolkata Visit
-Chaos broke out moments after Messi left the Salt Lake Stadium earlier than expected, with spectators uprooting chairs, throwing bottles and trying to breach barricades. Accompanied by long-time strike partner Luis Suárez and Argentine teammate Rodrigo De Paul, Messi, the World Cup-winning captain, arrived at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan around 11.30 am. This is Messi’s second visit to Kolkata.
-Within minutes of his arrival at the venue, Messi was surrounded by a bevy of politicians, police officers, VIPs and their aides, forming a human blockade that ensured the paying public saw everything except Messi. Fans complained their view was obstructed by VIPs surrounding Messi on the pitch, and even giant screens failed to show him clearly.
-The football icon walked briefly on the field, waved to the crowd and was finally escorted out well before his scheduled one-hour stay, leaving the stadium after spending just 22 minutes, and all hell broke loose thereafter.
-Some spectators and police personnel were injured in the chaos, though no deaths were reported. The mayhem continued for nearly 90 minutes.
-Police arrested the event’s chief organiser, Satadru Datta, for alleged mismanagement. He was held at Kolkata airport while seeing off Messi.
-Datta has given written assurance that he will refund ticket prices to disappointed spectators, according to DGP Rajeev Kumar.
-CM Mamata Banerjee expressed shock, apologised to fans and ordered an inquiry. She turned back from attending the event after the unrest.
-Plastic chairs, banners and hoardings were destroyed; sofas were set on fire; VIP canopies were torn down as hundreds spilled onto the pitch.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) expressed concerns following the chaos and distanced itself. “This was a private event organised by a PR agency. The AIFF was not involved in the organisation, planning, or execution of this event in any capacity,” the AIFF said in a statement.
-TMC, BJP and others traded accusations. BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya alleged that “some fraudsters, in their greed to mint money, created this situation”. CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty termed the mismanagement a “black day” for West Bengal, blaming the TMC government for failure of law and order.
-Governor CV Ananda Bose blamed both organisers and police, calling it a failure of administration. Bose said that while the organisers of the event are to be blamed squarely for the situation, it is also the police that has failed the government, the people and the CM, who is also the home minister.
