The All India Football Federation (AIFF) voiced its concerns after Lionel Messi's event in Kolkata turned chaotic due to inadequate crowd management and security issues.
Around 50,000 fans, who paid between
Rs 4,000 and Rs 12,000, and sometimes up to Rs 20,000 on the black market, were left frustrated as politicians and VVIPs focused more on selfies than controlling the crowd at Salt Lake Stadium.
Within moments of Messi's arrival at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, a throng of politicians, police officers, VIPs, and their aides formed a barrier around him. This human blockade prevented the paying public from seeing Messi clearly. The AIFF clarified that it had no role in organising this private event, which was managed by a PR agency.
AIFF Distances Itself from Event Organisation
The AIFF stated that it was not involved in any aspect of the event's organisation or execution. The federation also mentioned that it was not informed about the event details nor was any clearance sought from them. This statement aimed to distance the AIFF from the chaos that ensued during the event.
Fans expressed their anger by throwing bottles and food packets-items banned at sporting venues. The situation escalated with chairs being ripped out and thrown. Fibreglass seats were shattered across the pitch and synthetic track, while two canopies set up for Messi and the chief minister were damaged.
Security Concerns and Fan Discontent
The AIFF urged attendees to cooperate with authorities to maintain order, emphasising that safety should be the top priority. Despite these calls for calm, gates were battered, the players' tunnel roof was damaged, and posters were torn down. Attempts were even made to set parts of the canopies on fire before police intervened.
The federation expressed its deep concern over the events at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, where fans gathered to see football stars like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Rodrigo de Paul. The chaotic scenes highlighted significant lapses in security and crowd control measures during the event.
The AIFF's statement underscored its commitment to ensuring safety at sporting events while distancing itself from this particular incident. The federation reiterated that it had no involvement in planning or executing the event and urged all parties to prioritise safety moving forward.
With inputs from PTI
