Why did angry fans throw chairs and bottles at Messi event in India’s Kolkata?

Disappointment and anger boiled over at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday (Dec 13) after football icon Lionel Messi made a brief and obscured appearance, leading frustrated fans to rip up seating and hurl objects toward the pitch.

Thousands of devoted supporters had paid up to 12,000 rupees (approximately $133) for a chance to see the Argentine and Inter Miami forward during his promotional tour of India.

However, their enthusiasm quickly turned hostile when Messi emerged for a walk around the stadium but was immediately surrounded and largely concealed by a large entourage of officials and celebrities.

The situation escalated dramatically after approximately twenty minutes when security personnel swiftly escorted the 2022 World Cup winner away.

Following the abrupt conclusion of his appearance, sections of the crowd turned violent, with frustrated fans storming the pitch, vandalizing banners and tents, and others throwing plastic chairs and water bottles.

Many had reportedly anticipated that the football legend would participate in a short exhibition game at the venue, according to reports from the AFP news agency.

The fallout prompted a swift response from West Bengal state’s Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, who issued a public apology to the football star and ordered a formal investigation into the chaos.

“I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake stadium,” Banerjee posted on X, noting she was en route to the event when the disorder began. “I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident. I am constituting an enquiry committee... the committee will conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.”

Messi is currently in India as part of a multi-city tour that includes scheduled attendance at concerts, youth football clinics, a padel tournament, and the launch of charitable initiatives in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi.

The tour had commenced with the virtual unveiling of a massive 70-foot (21m) statue of the player in Kolkata, which took a 45-person crew 27 days to assemble.

Thousands of fans, many chanting, wearing "I love Messi" headbands, and buying jerseys, had flocked to the stadium for the opportunity to see the star in person, underscoring the large football following in West Bengal, Kerala, and Goa, areas with significant soccer passion in an otherwise cricket-dominated nation.