Mamata Banerjee Apologises to Lionel Messi Over Chaos at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata

According to sources, a large number of fans gathered at the stadium to catch a glimpse of Messi, leading to overcrowding and security challenges.

Bottles were reportedly thrown and posters torn as the situation went out of control, forcing organisers to cut short the programme. Messi stayed at the venue for only about 10 minutes before leaving due to safety concerns.

Taking note of the incident, Mamata Banerjee expressed regret over the lapses in arrangements. In her message, she said the state government values sports personalities and their fans, and assured that such incidents were unfortunate and not reflective of Bengal’s hospitality. She also directed officials to review the security and crowd management arrangements for future events.

The incident has sparked criticism over event planning and crowd control at high-profile international programmes in India. Fans, meanwhile, expressed disappointment over missing the chance to see Messi in person, while also urging better organisation in the future.

Despite the chaos, Messi’s visit to Kolkata was seen as a historic moment for Indian football lovers, highlighting the immense popularity of the global icon in the country.