The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a sharp attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Saturday after chaotic scenes erupted during football icon Lionel Messi’s appearance at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. They accused the state government of “complete mismanagement” after angry spectators breached security arrangements and hurled chairs and bottles inside the venue.
Lionel Messi, who was inside the stadium for close to half an hour, was unable to provide many fans with a clear view, triggering frustration among the packed crowd. Messi fans, many of whom had paid thousands of rupees for tickets, expressed anger at being denied even a glimpse of the Argentine star, as security personnel, organisers and invited guests clustered around him on the ground.
Describing the episode as a “total embarrassment”, the BJP alleged there was “zero planning” and inadequate security at an event involving one of the world’s most recognisable sporting figures.
“Thousands of fans who gathered with hope couldn’t even catch a glimpse of him while inept TMC leaders surrounded him,” BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said. “A global legend, a massive public turnout, and yet zero planning. A total embarrassment on an international stage. Mamata can’t even organise or manage an event,” he added.
Another BJP spokesperson, Shehzad Poonawala, accused the ruling party of turning the sports event into a political spectacle at the cost of public safety. “TMC leaders surrounded him, and fans were denied. Messi had to leave ASAP,” Poonawala said. “What if something had happened to the fans or the guest? This was like what we say in the Bengaluru stampede where many lost lives,” he added, warning that the situation could have turned far more serious.
Messi’s much-anticipated Kolkata stopover, part of the G.O.A.T. Tour, had drawn thousands of fans to the Yuva Bharati Krirangan. Tickets for the event were priced between ₹5,000 and ₹25,000. Several attendees later complained that despite paying steep amounts, they were unable to properly see the football legend due to restricted visibility from the stands.
Messi arrived at the stadium at around 11:15 am and remained at the venue for approximately 30 minutes. He was scheduled to complete a full lap of honour but could not do so as the situation quickly deteriorated. Moments after he emerged from the tunnel, sections of the crowd became unruly, throwing chairs and bottles towards the ground.
The escalating disorder forced organisers to cut short the programme. Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who were expected to be part of the event, were unable to participate.
Promoter Shatadru Datta, who organised the G.O.A.T. Tour, along with security personnel, escorted Messi out of the stadium to ensure his safety. As Messi was whisked away, some fans entered the playing area and vandalised temporary canopies and structures erected inside the stadium, further compounding the chaos.
