What was meant to be a dream moment for football fans in Kolkata turned into a frustrating and chaotic experience on Saturday. Lionel Messi’s much-awaited appearance at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan as part of the G.O.A.T. Tour left thousands of fans disappointed and angry.
Despite paying hefty ticket prices ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000, many fans said they could barely catch a glimpse of the Argentine legend. With security personnel and special guests crowding around Messi, those seated in the stands were left struggling to see him. The situation soon spiralled out of control, forcing organisers to cut the event short and escort Messi out of the stadium.
Lionel Messi’s Brief Appearance at the Stadium
Messi arrived at the venue at around 11:15 a.m. and stayed for roughly 20 minutes. The 2022 World Cup winner was expected to take a full lap of the stadium, but that never happened as the crowd grew increasingly restless and angry.
As tempers flared, chairs and bottles were thrown from the stands, creating safety concerns. Organisers and security personnel quickly moved Messi away from the ground to prevent the situation from worsening.
Event Descends Into Disorder
Things went downhill almost immediately after Messi emerged from the tunnel. The programme was cut short so abruptly that several high-profile guests could not take part. Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, former India captain Sourav Ganguly, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were all expected to be present but were unable to join as the event was halted.
Promoter Shatadru Datta, the organiser of the G.O.A.T. Tour, along with security staff, rushed Messi out of the Salt Lake Stadium. Meanwhile, some fans broke through barricades, entered the ground, and vandalised canopies that had been set up for the event.
One fan described the entire experience as an “absolute disgrace,” while others pointed to poor planning and mismanagement.
Fans Voice Their Anger
Police and the Rapid Action Force had to use mild force to control the situation after angry fans tried to damage parts of the stadium. Many supporters openly blamed politicians and organisers for crowding Messi and failing to deliver what had been promised.
Speaking to ANI, one upset fan said, “Absolutely terrible event. He came for just 10 minutes. All the leaders and ministers surrounded him. We couldn’t see anything. He didn’t take a single kick or a single penalty. They said they would bring Shah Rukh Khan too. They didn’t bring anyone. He came for 10 minutes and left. So much money, emotions, and time wasted. We couldn’t see anything.”
https://twitter.com/sarcastic_us/status/1999734136165290100?s=20
Mamata Banerjee Issues Apology and Orders Enquiry
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock over what happened and apologised to fans and Messi. She also announced an official enquiry into the incident.
“I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. I was on my way to the stadium to attend the event along with thousands of sports lovers and fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favourite footballer, Lionel Messi,” Banerjee posted on X.
“I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident.
“I am constituting an enquiry committee under the chairmanship of Justice (Retd.) Ashim Kumar Ray, with the Chief Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Hill Affairs Department, as members. The committee will conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.”
Check out the Tweet:
https://twitter.com/MamataOfficial/status/1999748228070408420?s=20
Organiser Arrested, Refunds Promised
Following the chaos, the police arrested Satadru Dutta, the main organiser of the event, after an FIR was filed. The arrest was confirmed by Jawed Shamim, Additional Director General of Law and Order.
“The FIR has been lodged, and the chief organiser has been arrested,” Shamim said.
“They (organisers) are promising that they will return (ticket fee to fans). We will see how it can be done,” he added.
As investigations continue, disappointed fans are now waiting to see whether they will get refunds for what many are calling one of the most poorly managed sporting events in recent memory.
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