Anger at Lionel Messi ‘GOAT’ India tour as fans throw chairs and bottles at stadium event

Indignant followers attending Lionel Messi’s tour of India ripped up seats and threw gadgets in the direction of the pitch after his look at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium.

1000’s of adoring supporters had paid as much as 12,000 rupees (£100; $133) to catch a glimpse of the soccer star, however had been left upset when he emerged to stroll across the pitch, and was obscured by a big group of officers and celebrities.

When the Argentina and Inter Miami ahead was whisked away early by safety after round 20 minutes, components of the group turned hostile.

West Bengal’s chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, mentioned she was “deeply disturbed and shocked” by the occasions.

Messi is in India for his ‘GOAT [greatest of all time] tour’, a collection of promotional occasions in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi.

His tour started with the unveiling of a 70ft (21m) statue of himself in Kolkata, which had been assembled over the course of 27 days by a 45-strong crew. Messi appeared just about as a consequence of safety considerations.

1000’s of followers travelled to the town’s stadium for an opportunity to see the footballer in particular person.

They had been chanting, shopping for jerseys and sporting “I really like Messi” headbands.

Messi initially walked out on the stadium waving to followers, however after his look was abruptly ended on Saturday, some annoyed followers stormed the pitch and vandalised banners and tents, as others hurled plastic chairs and water bottles.

The 2022 World Cup winner – considered one of football’s greatest ever players – had been anticipated to play a brief exhibition sport on the stadium, the AFP information company stories.

“Solely leaders and actors had been surrounding Messi… Why did they name us then… We have now obtained a ticket for 12,000 rupees, however we weren’t even capable of see his face”, a fan on the stadium informed Indian information company ANI.

One indignant fan informed the Press Belief of India information company folks had paid the equal of a month’s wage to see the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

“I paid Rs 5,000 for the ticket and got here with my son to look at Messi, not politicians.

“The police and navy personnel had been taking selfies, and the administration is accountable.”

Messi was accompanied on his transient go to by his Inter Miami teammate and Uruguay star Luis Suarez, and Argentina’s Rodrigo de Paul.

Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan additionally met Messi earlier within the day, in accordance with the Reuters information company.

Kolkata is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal and has a big soccer fanbase in an in any other case cricket-crazed nation.

Within the metropolis, it is not uncommon to see a whole lot of 1000’s of followers collect at stadiums at a derby of native golf equipment.

The BBC has contacted Lionel Messi’s representatives for remark.

Asserting an enquiry, Banerjee apologised to Messi and “sports activities lovers” for the incident on the stadium.

“The [enquiry] committee will conduct an in depth enquiry into the incident, repair duty, and suggest measures to forestall such occurrences sooner or later,” the chief minister mentioned on X.

A police official informed reporters that the occasion’s “chief organiser” had been arrested, with out giving any additional particulars, AFP stories.

Authorities will look into how organisers might refund cash to those that purchased tickets, the official added.

The All India Soccer Federation (AIFF) mentioned it was not concerned within the “non-public occasion”.

Within the early hours of Saturday, 1000’s lined the roads and congregated outdoors the lodge the place Messi was staying to attempt to catch a glimpse of him.

Hitesh, a 24-year-old company lawyer, flew practically 1,900 kilometres from the south Indian metropolis of Bengaluru.

“For me it is private. You possibly can see I’m fairly quick, and I like to play soccer with my associates,” Hitesh informed the BBC, standing in entrance of the statue.

“Messi is the participant I associated with probably the most, nobody can match his expertise. He provides me hope that with expertise you are able to do something.”

It’s only a small a part of India’s homage to the previous Barcelona and Paris St-Germain ahead.

Followers can even go to a “Hola Messi” fan zone with a life-sized reproduction Messi sitting on a throne, a corridor adorned with a few of his trophies, and a recreation of his Miami dwelling full with mannequins of the participant and his household sat on a balcony.