Kolkata, 13 December (H.S.) :

A major disruption marred Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated event in Kolkata on Saturday, forcing the international football star to leave the venue before the scheduled conclusion of his program. The incident occurred at the fully packed Yuba Bharati Krirangan, where fans had been waiting for hours for a glimpse of Messi.

According to the event schedule, Messi was supposed to tour the stadium, but the situation deteriorated as soon as his vehicle stopped near the field. Upon stepping out, Messi was immediately surrounded by fans. Despite the presence of several celebrities and former players, it became evident that security and crowd management were inadequate. The crowd kept swelling, and the safety perimeter around Messi quickly broke down.

Once inside the stadium, far more people gathered around Messi than anticipated. Organisers repeatedly announced that only authorised personnel should remain on the field, but the announcements had no effect. Fans crowded Messi, clamouring for selfies and autographs. For a brief moment, Messi waved to the crowd, which further escalated excitement in the galleries.

The situation worsened as Messi moved toward the stands. Loud chants and commotion erupted, and the event quickly spiralled out of control. Feeling unsafe, Messi exited the Yuba Bharati Krirangan before completing his scheduled activities. Immediately after his departure, some spectators threw bottles onto the field, tore banners installed by sponsors, and even overturned chairs in several areas. Fans also entered the field, damaging temporary tents set up near the stadium.

Following the incident, organisers and attending celebrities were noticeably absent, while some police personnel arrived later but failed to regain control of the situation. Spectators and onlookers have criticised the organisers for serious lapses in security and crowd management, which not only left the event incomplete but also escalated into chaotic and violent scenes.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh