Lionel Messi's visit to India turned into mass riots. In Kolkata, fans got out of control after the brief appearance of the Argentine star at the Salt Lake Stadium, which seats approximately 85,000 spectators, writes Times of India.
This was the first stop on Messi's tour of India immediately after his MLS victory. Even before the footballer arrived in the country, a 21-meter monument was erected in his honor, but the start of the tour did not go according to plan at all.
According to Indian media, the walk around the stands had to be interrupted due to security threats: bottles began to fly towards the field, and Messi was urgently escorted out under guard. After this, the situation escalated sharply. Videos from social networks show spectators ripping out chairs, running onto the pitch, tearing down banners, and breaking advertising structures.
"There were only politicians and actors around Messi. So why were we invited at all? We paid 12,000 rupees (more than a hundred euros) and didn't even see his face," one of the fans told Times of India.
Further outrage was caused by the fact that some officials and politicians, according to eyewitnesses, were closer to the footballer than ordinary spectators. Due to overcrowded stands and serious security problems, Messi left the stadium earlier than scheduled, without speaking to most of the fans.
Comments