Mismanagement at Messi's Kolkata event, fans throw bottles

14-Dec-2025

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What was expected to be a historic celebration of football took a chaotic turn during Lionel Messi’s Kolkata appearance, as scenes of unrest unfolded inside the Vivekananda Yuvabharati Salt Lake Stadium. 

The Argentine superstar’s much-anticipated GOAT Tour stop in the City of Joy was marred by crowd trouble, with bottles being thrown and hoardings damaged amid growing frustration among fans.

Eyewitnesses inside the stadium said the unrest was triggered by poor crowd handling and severe access restrictions. 

As fans realised that movement and viewing areas were far more limited than expected, frustration began to spill over.

 Protests broke out in the stands and the situation deteriorated rapidly, forcing security officials to intervene to regain control.