NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey has broken his silence on the chaos that marred Lionel Messi’s much-hyped appearance in Kolkata, squarely blaming political grandstanding and serious lapses in protocol for the disorder at Salt Lake Stadium. Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Chaubey said the event had drifted far from its sporting purpose. “Yesterday, the event we saw, it became West Bengal Sports Minister’s personal event. People have seen on the television or other medium more of the West Bengal Sports Minister than Messi. It was of personal canvassing, election canvassing, and using an international player for a completely vested interest. And I think this will cost Bengal in the future,” he said.
Chaubey stressed that strict adherence to protocol was non-negotiable while hosting international stars. “Law will take its own course. Bengal need to take lessons very seriously. All the protocols need to be implemented strictly whenever we host an international event and an international star. Had these protocols been followed, then this problem wouldn’t have happened,” he added. The AIFF, in an official statement on Saturday, expressed deep concern over the events at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, where around 50,000 fans had gathered to catch a glimpse of Messi, along with Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul. Many spectators had paid between Rs 4,000 and Rs 12,000 for tickets, while some reportedly shelled out as much as Rs 20,000 on the black market. However, within minutes of Messi’s arrival, he was engulfed by politicians, VVIPs, police officers and aides, forming a human barricade that left paying fans frustrated and angry. Clarifying its position, the AIFF distanced itself from the event. “This was a private event organised by a PR agency. The AIFF was not involved in the organisation, planning, or execution of this event in any capacity,” the federation said, adding that no clearance had been sought. The situation spiralled out of control as angry fans hurled bottles, ripped out chairs and vandalised infrastructure. Fibreglass seats were smashed, canopies torn, and parts of the stadium damaged before police managed to restore order, leaving behind a night that promised celebration but ended in chaos.
