Police arrest the person who organized the Messi visit after Indian fans tear up the seats
Lionel Messi’s tour of India began tumultuously on Saturday, as fans hurled objects, tore up seats, and stormed the pitch at Kolkata’s Salt Lake stadium following the Argentine soccer legend’s brief appearance at a ticketed event.
Rajeev Kumar, the director general of West Bengal police, stated that Satadru Dutta, the chief organiser of the event, has been detained by police.
Messi was set to visit the stadium for 45 minutes, but his stay was only 20 minutes long. Tickets for the event were priced starting at approximately 3,500 rupees ($38.65), which is over half of the average weekly income in India. However, one fan mentioned that he had paid $130.
Supporters in the Salt Lake stadium, located in the capital of the Eastern state of West Bengal, tossed ripped-up seats and various items onto the field, while multiple individuals scaled a fence surrounding the area and threw objects.
“I am astonished by the extent of mismanagement,” remarked Eddie Lal Hmangaihzuala, who journeyed nearly 1,500 km from Mizoram over the course of two days to participate in the event.
Messi departed swiftly; it seems he sensed a lack of safety. “I barely caught sight of him,” he told Reuters.
The tour organisers have yet to provide a response to a request for comment.
“The primary organizer has already been apprehended,” Rajeev Kumar informed the press.
We are implementing measures to ensure that this mismanagement is addressed appropriately.
“He has already committed in writing that tickets sold for the event are to be refunded,” he added.
Chief Minister expresses regret and initiates investigation.
Messi is currently in India for a tour that includes attending concerts, youth football clinics, and a padel tournament, as well as launching charitable initiatives at events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, expressed her apologies to Messi and initiated an investigation into the incident.
“I am profoundly troubled and taken aback by the mismanagement observed today at Salt Lake stadium,” Banerjee, who was en route to the event when chaos erupted, shared on X.
“I deeply regret the incident and extend my heartfelt apologies to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports enthusiasts and his supporters,” she stated.
She announced the formation of a committee tasked with conducting a thorough investigation into the incident, determining accountability, and suggesting measures to avert similar events in the future.
West Bengal, Kerala, and Goa have historically maintained significant soccer followings in a country predominantly passionate about cricket.
There have been several occurrences of fan riots at Salt Lake stadium, notably during a Kolkata derby match in 2012 between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, which was called off after a brick thrown from the stands struck a player, causing serious injury.
Diego Maradona, the legendary Argentine soccer player, made two visits to Kolkata, where he unveiled a statue of himself holding the World Cup in 2017, captivating thousands of fans in attendance.
Messi, who led Argentina as captain for the first time in a friendly match at the Salt Lake stadium, secured a 1-0 victory over Venezuela in 2011. Earlier on Saturday, he almost unveiled a 70-foot statue of himself in Kolkata.
