Lionel Messi Kolkata event turns chaotic as police use mild force to control crowd

Police had to use mild force to control angry crowds who attempted to vandalize Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata after Lionel Messi's GOAT Tour event on Saturday turned chaotic due to poor management, with fans complaining they barely saw the football icon despite paying high ticket prices.

The situation escalated when frustrated fans tried to enter the ground to damage the tent and goal post after being unable to properly view Messi during the event.



Fans accused politicians and ministers of monopolizing Messi's time during his brief appearance, preventing ticket holders from seeing him properly.

"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. They said they would bring Shah Rukh Khan too. They didn't bring anyone. He came for 10 minutes and left. So much money, emotions, and time wasted. We couldn't see anything," one disappointed fan told ANI.

Another fan who paid Rs 12,000 for a ticket expressed frustration at not being able to see Messi's face during the event.

"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," the fan said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued an apology following the chaos at the event.

"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. I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident," Banerjee posted on X.

The Chief Minister announced the formation of an inquiry committee to investigate the 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.

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