Kolkata: Unable to see Messi, irked fans vandalise stadium; Mamata orders probe

Mamata forms enquiry panel and apologises to fans | AIFF clarifies it 'was not involved in the organisation, planning or execution of the event in any capacity'

- AGNIHOTRI GUPTA

Kolkata, the city that has a prominent history of love and craziness for football, witnessed mayhem on Saturday with the event featuring football superstar Lionel Messi descended into unrest, prompting West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to apologise unconditionally and constitute an enquiry committee.

Frustrated fans alleged organisational failure and mismanagement, vandalised parts of the iconic Salt Lake Stadium, leading to a massive chaos. The main organiser, Satadru Dutta, was detained.

Thousands of fans had gathered at the stadium in anticipation of seeing Messi in-person. The excitement quickly turned into anger when the star entered the ground, almost an hour late from the given time, surrounded by players, leaders, ministers and nearly invisible to the fans. The event, which was scheduled for at least an hour ended within 10 minutes and with the gathering, Messi left the ground.

The infuriated crowd started throwing water bottles and even chairs from the gallery onto the ground expressing their frustration. Fans, who had come from across the country, paid a hefty amount just to get a glimpse of their icon, were left "scammed". The stadium was full with the scream "we want Messi".

The event mentioned a celebrity football match along with a penalty shootout at the end and also the presence of Shah Rukh Khan, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Sourav Ganguly. But nothing could actually happen due to the mass outrage.