Angry Messi fans rip up seats and invade pitch as star begins India tour

Lionel Messi fans have caused chaos in Kolkata after the football legend appeared at a stadium on the first day of his Indian tour.

Seats were ripped up, the stage was trashed and people invaded the pitch after an event that was abandoned after about 20 minutes. Pictures also show a Messi billboard hanging precariously from an upper tier and people climbing the fences.

The Inter Miami star was joined at Salt Lake Stadium by teammates Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suarez. However, there was a large crowd clustered around the 5ft 7in (170cm) Argentinian, including politicians, media and at least one guard with an automatic weapon.

The unrest got worse after security abandoned a lap of the stadium due to the number of people around Messi, reported India Today. Messi was scheduled for a 45-minute visit to the stadium, but only appeared for 20 minutes.

The event's chief organiser, Satadru Dutta, has been detained, Rajeev Kumar, director general of West Bengal police, said. He added Mr Dutta has "already pledged in writing that tickets sold for the event should be refunded".

Supporters said Saturday's much-anticipated appearance fell well short of what they had paid for. "Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi...

We have got a ticket for 12,000 rupees (£99), but we were not even able to see his face," a fan told news agency ANI. West Bengal state's chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, apologised to Messi and ordered an investigation.

"I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake stadium," Ms Banerjee posted on X. "I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident," she said.

Organisers of Messi's three-day tour have not yet commented. The Argentinian virtually unveiled a 70ft (21m) statue of himself in Kolkata on Saturday and is also scheduled to visit Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.

The 38-year-old will take in youth football events, concerts, a padel tournament, as well as launching charitable initiatives. West Bengal, Kerala and Goa states have large football followings in a country where cricket dominates the sporting agenda.

Argentine legend Diego Maradona visited Kolkata twice, and in 2017 unveiled a statue there of himself holding the World Cup..