Messi Visit Turns Chaotic in Kolkata: CM Mamata Apologises After Salt Lake Stadium Mismanagement
Chaos erupted at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata during Lionel Messi’s India visit as fans vandalised property over poor management. CM Mamata Banerjee apologised and ordered an inquiry.
The excitement around Lionel Messi’s visit to India turned into chaos at Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium), Kolkata, after thousands of fans failed to get a proper glimpse of the football legend. Angry supporters began throwing bottles, chairs, and posters, forcing authorities to intervene and ending the event in disorder.
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The incident has sparked nationwide discussion on event management at high-profile international sports programs.
Fans Lose Patience After Messi Leaves Early
Fans who paid high ticket prices and travelled from different places were left disappointed when Messi left the stadium early without playing or spending much time on the field.
Eyewitnesses said:
- Messi appeared only briefly
- The crowd could not see him clearly
- Leaders and organisers surrounded him
- Promised interactions did not take place
This led to loud hooting and growing anger inside the packed stadium.
Bottles and Chairs Thrown Inside Stadium
As frustration peaked, a section of the crowd lost control and resorted to vandalism. Fans threw bottles, chairs, and posters, damaging stadium property. Security personnel struggled to control the situation as panic spread across sections of the stadium.
The chaos forced organisers to cut short the program, and Messi exited the venue amid tight security.
CM Mamata Banerjee Issues Public Apology
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep shock over the incident and issued a public apology to Lionel Messi and football fans.
She said she was deeply disturbed by the mismanagement at Salt Lake Stadium and apologised to:
- Lionel Messi
- Sports lovers
- Fans who gathered to witness the event
She acknowledged that thousands had assembled with great enthusiasm but were left disappointed.
Inquiry Committee Formed to Probe Incident
The Chief Minister announced the formation of a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the incident. The committee will be headed by Justice (Retd.) Ashim Kumar Ray, with:
- The Chief Secretary
- The Additional Chief Secretary (Home and Hill Affairs Department)
as members.
The committee will:
- Conduct a detailed inquiry
- Fix responsibility
- Recommend measures to prevent such incidents in the future
Questions Raised Over Event Planning
The Salt Lake Stadium chaos has raised serious concerns over:
- Crowd management at international events
- Coordination between organisers and authorities
- Safety and transparency for ticket-paying fans
Many fans demanded accountability, saying their money, time, and emotions were wasted.
Disappointment Overshadows Messi’s India Visit
What was meant to be a memorable moment for Indian football fans ended in disappointment and anger. The Salt Lake Stadium incident has overshadowed Lionel Messi’s India visit, leaving fans hoping such mismanagement is never repeated.
