Only 20 Minutes on the Field, Politicians Blocked the View
Spectators Outraged, Property Damaged, Police Deployed... Fact-Finding Committee Formed
The stadium visit event of global football star Lionel Messi (38, Inter Miami) in Kolkata, India, ended in chaos.
On December 13 (local time), Argentine dailies Clar?n, La Naci?n, Infobae, and Indian media outlets such as Hindustan Times and India Times reported that there were disturbances and riots among the spectators at the event.
On the 13th, spectators at Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium in Kolkata, India, cheered wearing Lionel Messi's Nippon jersey. Photo by Yonhap News
That day, Messi appeared at Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium in Salt Lake, Kolkata, which has a capacity of 85,000, and greeted the crowd as he walked around the field. However, he stayed at the stadium for only about 20 minutes.
Initially, there were widespread expectations that Messi would directly participate in a match-related program. When the event ended early, some spectators who had purchased expensive tickets-costing up to 18,000 rupees (about 300,000 won)-expressed their outrage. Protests erupted, and some attendees tore out seats and threw them or hurled water bottles, even rushing onto the field. As property damage occurred, authorities deployed the Rapid Action Force (RAF) to restore order.
The core of the complaints centered on poor event management and restricted views. Politicians and government officials surrounded Messi, blocking photos and obstructing the view, and some claimed that it was difficult to see Messi even on the large screen. One spectator expressed disappointment, saying, "I couldn't fully enjoy the moment I had dreamed of."
On the 13th, fans who could not properly see Lionel Messi at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium in Kolkata, India, are throwing chairs in anger. Photo by Yonhap News
As the situation escalated, the West Bengal police arrested key event organizers and demanded a written guarantee promising a full refund of ticket prices. Rajeev Kumar, Commissioner of West Bengal Police, pointed to a lack of guidance as the cause, stating, "There were false expectations that Messi would actually play in a match."
Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, issued an official apology and ordered the formation of a fact-finding committee. She said, "I apologize to Messi and all sports fans," and promised to prevent a recurrence.
Meanwhile, Messi, under heightened security, left Kolkata for Hyderabad. His visit will continue to Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. In downtown Kolkata, a 20-meter-tall statue depicting Messi lifting the World Cup trophy was also unveiled, drawing significant attention.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
