US EditionHow International Media Covered Chaos at Messi’s Kolkata Event: 'Fans Throw Chairs and Bottles'
Thousands of fans became frustrated by poor crowd control and delays, leading to pitch invasions and vandalism during Lionel Messi’s Salt Lake Stadium event, organisers detained, police criticized.
- On Saturday | December 13, 2025, Lionel Messi left Salt Lake Stadium early, and thousands of fans invaded the pitch, throwing water bottles and ripping seats and banners.
- Fans who waited since around 8 am said organisers favoured insiders, with GOAT India Tour organiser Satadru Dutta allowing VIPs near Messi and killing time with a performance by Aneek Dhar.
- Security officials struggled as the crowd surged, reportedly abandoning a lap of the stadium while Inter Miami teammates were jostled amid a large cluster around Lionel Messi and at least one guard with an automatic weapon.
- Authorities detained Satadru Dutta, GOAT India Tour chief organiser, West Bengal police said, while Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal chief minister, apologised and ordered an investigation as Mr Dutta pledged refunds in writing.
- The GOAT India Tour still lists youth events, concerts and a padel tournament, with Messi scheduled to continue to Hyderabad and Mumbai and conclude in New Delhi at Arun Jaitley Stadium and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
48 Articles
48 Articles
How international media covered chaos at Messi’s Kolkata event: 'Fans throw chairs and bottles'
Lionel Messi’s Kolkata visit during his India GOAT Tour ended in chaos, with fans throwing chairs and bottles after failing to catch his glimpse properly. The main organiser has been detained and a police probe is launched. Messi has now arrived in Hyderabad for the next leg of his tour.
Indian football body distances itself from Lionel Messi GOAT tour chaos in Kolkata
A day meant to celebrate football ended in chaos as Lionel Messi’s brief Kolkata appearance sparked fan anger, exposed poor planning and forced the AIFF to publicly distance itself from the event.
Lionel Messi’s tour of India descends into chaos as fans hurl seats and invade pitch
Lionel Messi's tour of India kicked off chaotically on Saturday as fans threw objects, ripped up seats, invaded the pitch and broke the stage after the soccer great made only a brief stadium appearance, shielded from view by a large entourage.
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Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources lean Right
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