Messi Visit to India Causes Chaos as Fans Vandalize Stadium Amid Overwhelming Excitement
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as seen in a video now circulated and trending online that chaos erupted at a sporting venue in India when fans vandalised sections of the stadium during a high-profile visit by Argentine football superstar, Lionel Messi.
OTN News further reports that the incident which occurred amidst overwhelming excitement surrounding Messi’s presence in the country, which had drawn massive crowds of supporters eager to catch a glimpse of the global icon, was captured in a video sighted by OTN News correspondence.
OTN News observes from the video that what began as enthusiastic anticipation quickly turned violent as some sections of fans became uncontrollable and destructive.
Reports from the scene indicate that parts of the stadium were damaged as fans pushed past barriers, tore down fencing, and forced their way into restricted areas.
Videos circulating online showed debris strewn across seating areas and spectators in confrontational standoffs with security personnel.
The visit, intended to be a celebratory occasion marking Messi’s engagement with local fans and sporting events in India, was overshadowed by the unrest.
Organisers had anticipated large turnout and made arrangements to manage the huge crowds, but the scale of the enthusiasm appears to have overwhelmed existing safety measures.
Security forces were eventually deployed to regain control, and efforts were made to protect both the spectators and the venue infrastructure.
There were no immediate reports confirming injuries, but officials are said to be reviewing security footage and speaking with eyewitnesses to assess the extent of the damage and any safety lapses.
What's Your Reaction?
