Kolkata : Football icon Lionel Messi was forced to leave Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium early on Friday after disorder broke out during a public event linked to his visit to India.
Thousands of fans had gathered at the stadium hoping to see Messi up close. However, disappointment spread among sections of the crowd as many spectators said they could not get a clear view of him. Anger grew when fans felt that only VIP guests were allowed near the football star.
The situation worsened when some people in the stands began shouting slogans and throwing bottles towards the field. A few spectators tried to move closer to the pitch, raising serious safety concerns. Loud boos were heard across the stadium as security struggled to control the crowd.
Organisers then decided to cut Messi’s appearance short. He was escorted out of the stadium under tight security to prevent further escalation. Police and event staff later stepped in to restore order.
Earlier in the day, Messi had attended other programmes in the city, including a ceremonial event with actor Shah Rukh Khan. The stadium visit was expected to be a major highlight, reflecting Kolkata’s strong football culture.
The incident has drawn criticism over poor crowd management and planning. Authorities are expected to seek reports from organisers to understand how the situation spiralled out of control and to ensure better arrangements for future high profile events during Messi’s ongoing India visit.