Hyderabad: Chaos erupted at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday after football fans protested when Lionel Messi did not play a friendly match announced by event organisers.
As part of his India tour, Messi visited Salt Lake Stadium in the morning and attended a scheduled programme. Organisers had earlier announced that a friendly match would take place at the venue, which prompted thousands of fans to arrive early.
However, Messi did not participate in any football match at the stadium. He only waved to the crowd and greeted spectators before leaving shortly after the programme concluded.
The sudden exit angered fans, who accused organisers of misleading them with match announcements. Several supporters threw chairs and water bottles inside Salt Lake Stadium as tensions escalated.
Salt Lake Stadium witnesses fan unrest and police action
During the unrest, fans damaged stadium seating and tore flex banners installed for the event. Some supporters attempted to cross barricades and move towards restricted areas near the field.
Security personnel immediately intervened to control the situation. Police rushed additional forces to the stadium to prevent further damage and ensure safety.
Amid the chaos, Messi’s team exited Salt Lake Stadium through an underground tunnel. Police continued efforts to disperse the crowd and restore normalcy.
Officials said they were monitoring the situation closely and would take action against those involved in vandalism.