Messi’s Kolkata Visit Ends in Chaos as Fans Protest Over Poor Visibility

Lionel Messi‘s visit to Kolkata turned into a major disappointment. The Argentine star’s appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday sparked a large protest. Thousands of angry fans felt cheated after paying high ticket prices for a poor view.The event descended into vandalism and required police intervention. It has prompted an official investigation and widespread criticism of the event’s management.

Promised Glimpse of a Star Ends in Disarray

Messi arrived at the stadium with teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul. He briefly stepped onto the pitch but was immediately surrounded by officials and VIPs. According to PTI, this created a tight cordon that blocked him from most spectators’ view.Fans expecting a full lap of the stadium saw him exit early. This broken promise ignited the crowd’s frustration. Chants for Messi quickly turned to shouts of anger.The situation escalated rapidly. Supporters threw bottles and chairs onto the field. They tore down sponsor banners and damaged stadium seating. Police had to baton-charge to control fans who rushed the pitch.

Political Fallout and Accusations Follow Fiasco

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock at the mismanagement. She announced a committee would investigate the incident. Banerjee also apologized to the sports lovers who attended.Fans directly accused politicians of hogging Messi’s time. One attendee told ANI they felt scammed, noting their child’s excitement turned to disappointment. Another claimed their expensive ticket did not guarantee even a clear glimpse of the football icon.The opposition BJP blamed the state government for the chaos. Party leaders alleged greed and poor oversight created the situation. They stated the fiasco brought disrepute to the entire region.

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The fallout from Messi’s Kolkata tour highlights a severe failure in event execution. Local authorities now face intense scrutiny over the dangerous mismanagement. The incident has left a stain on what was meant to be a historic celebration for Indian football fans.

Thought you’d like to know

What exactly happened at the Messi event in Kolkata?

Lionel Messi’s appearance was very brief and he was surrounded by VIPs. Fans with tickets could not see him properly, leading to protests, vandalism, and police action inside the stadium.

Why were the fans so angry?

Fans paid high prices for tickets expecting a clear view of Messi. They felt misled by promises of a stadium lap and celebrity appearances that did not materialize as advertised.

How did the West Bengal government respond?

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ordered an investigation into the mismanagement. She publicly apologized to the fans for the disappointing and chaotic event.

Was anyone injured during the protest?

While reports detail significant property damage and a police baton-charge, major injuries have not been widely reported by trusted news sources covering the event.

Will there be any consequences for the organizers?

The state government has formed a committee to investigate. This panel is tasked with identifying responsibility and suggesting measures to prevent future incidents.