Lionel Messi's highly anticipated three-day India tour descended into chaos during its opening event in Kolkata on Saturday, as frustrated fans clashed with security personnel at Salt Lake Stadium. The incident occurred when the Argentine football icon abruptly shortened his planned walkaround the venue, triggering violent protests from disappointed attendees.
Eyewitnesses reported sections of the crowd tearing stadium seats and throwing them onto the pitch, while police struggled to maintain order. The unrest led to the detention of chief organizer Satadru Dutta, with authorities investigating potential security lapses. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a public apology to Messi, stating: "We deeply regret the unfortunate incident and are committed to ensuring such breakdowns in crowd management never recur."
The incident has raised questions about event planning for international sporting icons in India's passionate football heartland. Security experts suggest the chaos underscores the challenges of managing fan expectations during high-profile visits. Messi's team has not yet commented on whether subsequent tour events will proceed as scheduled.
