Lionel Messi’s India tour off to chaotic start as angry fans rip seats, invade pitch after Argentine legend’s brief appearance
“He has already committed in writing that the tickets sold for the event must be refunded,” he added.
Messi is in India as part of the tour, during which he is scheduled to attend concerts, youth football clinics and a padel tournament, and undertake charitable initiatives at events in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.
Unable to see Argentinian football star Lionel Messi, disgruntled fans damage stadium chairs as they run onto the field.Credit: access point
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologized to Messi and ordered an investigation into the incident.
Banerjee, who was on her way to the event when chaos broke out, posted on X: “I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed at the Salt Lake stadium today.”
“I sincerely apologize to Lionel Messi, as well as all sports fans and fans, for the unfortunate incident that occurred,” he said.
He said he has formed a committee to conduct a detailed investigation into the incident, assign responsibility and recommend measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
Lionel Messi arrived at Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) on Saturday.Credit: Getty Images
The states of West Bengal, Kerala and Goa have long had large football followings in an otherwise cricket-mad India.
There have been numerous fan riots at the Salt Lake stadium, including the Kolkata derby match between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in 2012, which was abandoned after a brick thrown from the stands hit a player and left him seriously injured.
Argentinian football star Diego Maradona has visited Kolkata twice and in 2017 he unveiled his statue there hosting the World Cup in front of thousands of fans.
Messi, who captained Argentina for the first time in a 1-0 friendly against Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium in 2011, unveiled a 22-meter statue of himself in Kolkata early on Saturday.
Reuters
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