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Violence, vandalism and chaos: Lionel Messi’s India tour off to an inauspicious start in Kolkata - See pics
Published on Dec 13, 2025 03:27 pm IST
The situation at the Salt Lake Stadium turned grim after fans turned violent on not getting enough glimpse of the Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.
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Published on Dec 13, 2025 03:27 pm IST
Salt Lake Stadium turned into a battleground after violent fans thronged to the middle. The ardent Lionel Messi supporters expressed their frustration after Messi left the stadium within 10 minutes. (HT Photo )
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Published on Dec 13, 2025 03:27 pm IST
Lionel Messi left the Salt Lake Stadium after take a short lap around the ground. He was surrounded by the police personnel and VIPs, including several politicians and West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas (HT Photo)
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Published on Dec 13, 2025 03:27 pm IST
Messi had earlier waved to the crowd amid deafening cheers before being involved in a quick meet-and-greet session with the former Indian footballers who were involved in an exhibition match between Mohun Bagan 'Messi' All Stars and Diamond Harbour 'Messi' All Stars. However, once he felt, the fans started to remove posters and make their anger known to the world. (HT Photo )
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Published on Dec 13, 2025 03:27 pm IST
According to Additional Director General (ADG) Law and Order Jawed Shamim, the chief organiser of the Kolkata leg of his GOAT Tour of Lionel Messi has been arrested, following utter chaos and shambolic scenes at the Salt Lake Stadium. (HT Photo )
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Published on Dec 13, 2025 03:27 pm IST
When Messi entered the stadium premises, he was surrounded by a human barricade of security. Despite multiple requests, the field could not be cleared and ultimately the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner had to be escorted out and this incident tipped the fans over the edge, resulting in chaos and vandalism.(HT Photo )
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Published on Dec 13, 2025 03:27 pm IST
There was plenty of anger within the fans in the air as they paid thousands of rupees to organisers to see Lionel Messi himself. Once he left after spending 20 minutes inside the venue, the supporters started hurling bottles, chairs and what not. The police failed to gather control and absolute wild scenes were witnessed. (HT Photo )
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Published on Dec 13, 2025 03:27 pm IST
After the ugly scenes at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee reacted to the incident,, saying she has constituted an enquiry committee. Both Mamata and Shah Rukh Khan were expected to be seen with Messi inside the stadium but the duo never showed up. (HT Photo )
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Once the fans started to hurl chairs and bottles, the organisers had to deploy the Rapid Action Force (RAF). Minutes after Messi left, the crowd invaded the Salt Lake Stadium and gathered in the centre. (HT Photo )
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Published on Dec 13, 2025 03:27 pm IST
The anger of the fans stemmed from the fact that they paid hefty price, ranging from INR 10,000 to INR 20,000 just to see Messi showing some of his dribbling skills with a football or say a word or two. But nothing of this sort happened, leaving the supporters high and dry. (HT Photo )
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Published on Dec 13, 2025 03:27 pm IST
Just seconds after Messi left the stadium premises, the temporary structures and tents inside the stadium were vandalised by angry fans. Bottles were hurled and fibreglass seats were damaged, leading to the police having to intervene. (HT Photo )
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Published on Dec 13, 2025 03:27 pm IST
Shortly after Lionel Messi decided to leave the uber-popular stadium, fans started to evade the barricades and make their way to the middle. Vandalism of property was reported and the police failed to get the crowd in order. (HT Photo )
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Apart from vandalising property, the fans also threw water bottles to the middle after the supporters were left frustrated on not getting enough change to see Messi up close and personal. (HT Photo )
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Published on Dec 13, 2025 03:27 pm IST
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has already written to the state government, seeking a report on the kind of arrangements which were made for Lionel Messi in Kolkata. (HT Photo )
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Published on Dec 13, 2025 03:27 pm IST
Amid all the chaos and Messi deciding to leave early, a couple of pre-planned events -- a felicitation of Bengal's Santosh Trophy-winning side and a "Master Class with Messi" for kids could not be completed.(HT Photo)
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Published on Dec 13, 2025 03:27 pm IST
The Kolkata police tried their best to try and bring the situation under control but the fans' anger knew no bounds and they made their displeasure known by hurling whatever they could find inside the stadium. (HT Photo )
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Published on Dec 13, 2025 03:27 pm IST
When Messi left the stadium, Loud boos rang through the gigantic stadium. The situation soon got of control as the police failed to control the crowd and the RAF had to deployed to bring some sort of normalcy. (HT Photo)
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Published on Dec 13, 2025 03:27 pm IST
A fan looks on as chaos reigns supreme inside the Salt Lake Stadium. There was no sense of control as the Messi supporters continued to vandalise property and hurl whatever they could spot. (HT Photo)
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