Messi India tour chaos as fans rip up seats

Lionel Messi’s India tour began in disorder in Kolkata after angry fans at Salt Lake Stadium ripped up seats and threw objects towards the pitch when the football star’s appearance ended earlier than many spectators expected, according to multiple reports.

Viral footage shows damage inside the stadium, with plastic seats torn out and hurled, as security personnel attempted to contain the crowd.

What happened at Salt Lake Stadium?

Reuters reporting said Messi was on the pitch for around 20 minutes and attempted to acknowledge supporters before leaving the stadium. During his appearance, he was closely surrounded by a large group of people, prompting complaints from fans that they could not see him clearly.

As it became clear that Messi’s appearance was over, frustration escalated in the stands. Fans ripped up seats and threw them towards the pitch, while bottles and other items were also reported to have been thrown.

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

West Bengal police detained the event’s main organiser, Satadru Dutta, following the disorder. Indian media later reported that he was remanded to police custody as investigations continue. According to The Guardian, police said the organiser had pledged in writing that tickets sold for the event should be refunded. No official refund process or timeline has yet been announced.

Early estimates of damage differed between reports. Times of India said Public Works Department officials initially assessed damage to government assets at more than ₹2.5 lakh (€2,361), while another report put broader losses, including claims from vendors and equipment providers, at around ₹2.5 crore (€237,000). Officials indicated that higher figures include private claims and have not yet been formally verified.

Messi virtually unveiled a 70-foot statue of himself in Kolkata on Saturday, December 13.

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