Livid fans of Lionel Messi rained chairs and bottles on the ground before invading the pitch and vandalising seats set up for VIPs at the Salt Lake Stadium after being left angered by the Argentinian superstar’s short visit to the stadium. 

Many of the fans had paid Rs 3,800 to Rs 11,800 to get a glimpse of the star. But many were furious that they could barely spot him through the thicket of VIPs and hangers on surrounding Messi during his short visit to the ground. Many fans also complained that the star did not even touch a ball during his visit to Salt Lake Stadium.

The incident has all the elements to become a political football. Already opposition leaders have trained their guns on the ruling TMC while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced that they have constituted an enquiry committee. 

Additional Director General (ADG) Law and Order Jawed Shamim, meanwhile, told media that an FIR has been lodged and the chief organiser of the event has been arrested.

As Sayak reported from Kolkata: “People were furious. They were trying to break a gate.” Partha Paul captured fans setting a fire to the VIP sofas which was quickly doused.

Messi is in India for a three-day “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) tour. From Saturday to Monday, the legendary forward was scheduled to visit Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi for a whirlwind schedule of exhibition matches, VIP meet-and-greets, and interactions with aspiring young athletes. Kolkata was the first stop of the tour.

Source: Indian Express
--Agencies