Angry fans vandalise India stadium after Messi’s early departure

Angry spectators person broken down barricades and stormed the transportation astatine a stadium successful the eastbound Indian metropolis of Kolkata aft shot prima Lionel Messi, who is connected a three-day circuit of the country, near the arena earlier than expected.

As portion of a alleged GOAT (Greatest of All Time) Tour, the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami superstar touched down successful Kolkata, the superior of West Bengal state, aboriginal connected Saturday, greeted by a chorus of fans chanting his name.

Hours later, thousands of fans wearing Messi jerseys and waving Argentina’s emblem packed into Salt Lake Stadium successful the authorities capital, but dense information astir the footballer near supporters struggling to drawback a glimpse of him.

Messi walked astir the transportation waving to fans and near the stadium earlier than expected.

Frustrated spectators, galore having paid much than $100 for tickets, ripped retired stadium seats and hurled h2o bottles onto the track.

Many others stormed the pitch and vandalised banners and tents.

Before the chaos erupted, Messi unveiled a 21-metre (70ft) statue depicting him holding aloft the World Cup.

He was besides expected to play a abbreviated accumulation lucifer astatine the stadium.

Javed Shamim, a elder constabulary authoritative successful the state, told reporters the event’s “chief organiser” had been arrested, without giving immoderate details.

“There is full normality,” helium said, adding that authorities would look into however organisers could refund wealth to those who bought tickets.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was “disturbed” and “shocked” astatine the mismanagement.

“I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, arsenic good arsenic to each sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident,” she said successful a station connected X, adding that she ordered an probe into the matter.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) said it was not progressive successful the “organisation, planning, oregon execution” of the “private event”.

“Furthermore, the details of the lawsuit were neither communicated to the AIFF, nor was immoderate clearance sought from the Federation,” a connection said.

Messi was greeted by thousands of fans successful the confederate metropolis of Hyderabad, wherever helium played successful beforehand of his fans connected Saturday. He arrived successful Mumbai connected Sunday. His circuit is to reason successful New Delhi connected Monday.

His clip successful India besides includes a imaginable gathering with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Messi won his 2nd consecutive Major League Soccer (MLS) astir invaluable subordinate grant this week aft propelling Inter Miami to the MLS rubric and starring the league successful goals.

The erstwhile Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain guardant volition spearhead Argentina’s defence of the World Cup successful June and July successful North America.