Messi's Kolkata Tour Chaos: Fans Ransack Stadium
Chaos erupted at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata during the first day of Lionel Messi's much-anticipated 'GOAT Tour.' Thousands of fans, eager to catch a glimpse of the Argentine soccer legend, became frustrated when they were unable to do so. In a fit of anger, they tore down banners, threw water bottles, and vandalized the stadium.
Messi arrived at the stadium around 11:30 AM, but his brief appearance was overshadowed by security barriers and VIPs surrounding him. Fans, who had paid between Rs 3,800 and Rs 11,800 for tickets, were left shouting "We want Messi!" after they realized they could barely see him. The situation escalated when fans breached barricades and rushed onto the pitch, leading to reports of a small fire at the stadium.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her shock at the situation, apologizing to Messi and promising an inquiry into the mismanagement. The chief event organizer, Satadra Dutta, was arrested, raising concerns about his experience in organizing such a large-scale event. This incident has prompted questions about the planning and security measures in place for high-profile events in India.
As the chaos unfolded, several prominent figures, including former cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and actor Shahrukh Khan, were present at the stadium, witnessing the unrest. Banerjee announced that a committee led by a retired judge would investigate the events and recommend measures to prevent future incidents of this nature.
Many fans voiced their disappointment, feeling cheated after spending significant amounts on tickets. The anger grew as they watched politicians and celebrities take selfies while they were unable to see Messi play. The frustration was palpable as fans expressed their outrage over the poor organization of the event.
Following the incident, the Director General of Police, Rajeev Kumar, stated that the inquiry would look into the reasons behind the chaos and whether it was due to the organizers' actions or other factors. Furthermore, he assured fans that ticket refunds would be processed for those who were unable to see the star.
After the tumultuous event in Kolkata, Messi is scheduled to continue his tour in Hyderabad before concluding in Mumbai and New Delhi. The excitement surrounding his visit remains high, but the events of this day have raised serious questions about the management of large-scale events in India.
