Messi leaves Salt Lake Stadium within minutes; angry fans throw bottles, vandalise seats and posters, one injured

Minutes after reaching the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, football icon Lionel Messi left the venue without taking a complete lap of the field, leaving fans fuming at the management and throwing bottles and belts on them.

Chaos erupted at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday as spectators alleged they failed to get even a glimpse of Messi despite paying hefty amounts for buying tickets.

The Argentine football icon arrived at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan around 11.30 am and was first to enter the ground. He briefly moved around and waved at the crowd. He was accompanied by long-time strike partner Luis Suárez and Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul.

However, fans alleged that Messi remained surrounded by VIPs, organisers and security personnel throughout his round, effectively blocking spectators to get to see him.

Angry fans resort to vandalism

Soon after Lionel Messi took the stage, frustration mounted as fans chanted “We want Messi”.

The tipping point came when Messi was escorted out of the stadium within minutes, well before several invited dignitaries arrived.

Fuming supporters hurled bottles onto the field and damaged banners, hoardings and plastic chairs in the galleries.

One person was injured amid the chaos, ANI reported.

Some spectators were attempting to rip open gallery barricades and force their way onto the pitch, with police having a tough time containing them, eyewitnesses said.

‘Absolutely terrible event’

Speaking to ANI, fans of Lionel Messi complained that the event was disappointing.

“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. He came for 10 minutes and left. So much money, emotions, and time wasted. We couldn't see anything,” one fan said.

Spectators alleged that they paid between ₹5,000 and ₹12,000 for the tickets.

“It is very disappointing that after paying such a hefty amount. They had 50 people around him, and we could not even get a glimpse of him for once... He just waved a couple of times, and that's it,” one person who came to see Messi said.

“We have given so much money for this event and the most important thing is that Messi has come for this event and what message we have given to him... The sports minister is clicking a picture with Messi, and everyone is trying to manage the people... I don't know about Shah Rukh Khan, whether he came or not... It is very shameful for the event management and the government as well,” another added.

Mamata Banerjee apologises, probe initiated

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took note of the incident, saying she was deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement. She said she was on her way to the stadium when the incident came to her notice.

“I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident,” Mamata said.

“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,” she added.