Lionel Messi's tour of India kicked off chaotically on Saturday (Dec 13) as fans threw objects, ripped up seats and invaded the pitch at Kolkata's Salt Lake stadium after the Argentine soccer great made only a brief appearance at a ticketed event.
00:00Lionel Messi's much-anticipated tour of India began in chaos on Saturday, after disorder broke out at a ticketed event in Kolkata.
00:11Fans threw objects, damaged stadium seats and invaded the pitch at Salt Lake Stadium after the Argentine football superstar made only a brief appearance, far shorter than expected.
00:23Many fans said they barely caught a glimpse of Messi despite paying high ticket prices, triggering anger and frustration inside the stadium.
00:35It was a total scam. We want our money back, to be honest, and Mr. Sotadru Datta, who's the main person behind this event, he did a good job, but unfortunately the management was so bad. It is a black day for Kolkata.
00:49We couldn't even see him, we couldn't even get a glimpse of him. Was this scripted? I don't know why weren't the police taking action? I don't know anything. Everyone was furious. Everyone was very furious.
01:02Police have since detained the event's chief organizer, Satadru Dutta.
01:32That's our expectation, that the fans should be adequately compensated.
01:38Messi was scheduled to appear for 45 minutes, but remained at the venue for only about 20 minutes.
01:44Tickets for the event were priced from around 3,500 rupees, or $38.65, more than half of average weekly income in India.
01:54But one fan said he had paid $130.
01:57Despite the chaotic start, Messi is expected to continue his India tour, with planned appearances including concerts, youth football clinics, a paddle tournament, and charity launches in Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
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