Lionel Messi’s tour of India began in chaotic fashion on Saturday after disorder broke out at a ticketed event at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, where frustrated fans threw objects, damaged seats and invaded the pitch following the football star’s brief appearance.
Satadru Dutta, the chief organiser of the event, has been detained by police, West Bengal police director-general Rajeev Kumar confirmed.
Messi was scheduled to appear at the stadium for 45 minutes, but remained for only about 20 minutes, triggering anger among spectators. Tickets were priced from about 3,500 rupees (US$38.65), more than half of the average weekly income in India, with some fans claiming to have paid as much as US$130.
Following Messi’s early departure, fans ripped up seats and hurled debris onto the field, while several people climbed over fences surrounding the pitch and threw objects. Riot police were later deployed to restore order.
“I can’t believe there was so much mismanagement,” said Eddie Lal Hmangaihzuala, who travelled nearly 1,500km from Mizoram over two days to attend the event.
“Messi left quickly. I think he felt unsafe. I barely caught a glimpse of him,” he told Reuters.
The organisers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Rajeev Kumar said the detained organiser had pledged in writing that all ticket holders would receive refunds.
“We have already detained the main organiser and will ensure this mismanagement does not go unpunished,” he said.
Messi is in India as part of a multi-city tour that includes concerts, youth football clinics, a padel tournament and the launch of charitable initiatives in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologised to Messi and fans, saying she was “deeply disturbed and shocked” by the incident. She ordered a probe and announced the formation of a committee to investigate the incident, fix responsibility and recommend measures to prevent similar occurrences.
Salt Lake Stadium, located in one of India’s football-loving regions, has previously witnessed crowd trouble, including a notorious 2012 Kolkata derby that was abandoned after a player was seriously injured by a projectile from the stands.
Messi, who captained Argentina at the same stadium during a friendly match in 2011, had earlier on Saturday virtually unveiled a 70-foot statue of himself in Kolkata.
