W hat was expected to be a landmark celebration for Indian football fans descended into disorder and disappointment at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium after Lionel Messi’s highly anticipated appearance lasted barely 22 minutes, triggering unrest among sections of the crowd.

Soon after scenes of vandalism and chaos erupted at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) issued a statement distancing itself from the event, making it clear that it had no role in the planning or execution of the programme, which was part of Messi’s ‘GOAT (Greatest of All Time) India Tour 2025’.

AIFF distances itself from event

The federation said the programme was privately organised by a public relations agency and that no information had been shared with it in advance.

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