‘That’s when Messi’s team felt a serious threat’: Pen scratch, VIP grabbing and selfie-obsessed cops forced Kolkata exit

Key Highlights

• A Times of India report revealed on Monday that Messi and his team felt a “serious threat” soon after his arrival at the Salt Lake Stadium, where even the police failed to discharge their duties and instead joined politicians and organisers repeatedly seeking selfies with the Argentine icon.
• The report revealed that Messi’s team felt security at the venue was not up to standard and that the situation could have turned dangerous after a member of the crowd, comprising politicians and organisers who had swarmed the footballer, repeatedly sought an autograph, during which the pen scratched his body.
• The World Cup-winning star immediately told organiser Satadru Dutta, now in police custody for mismanagement, that he wanted to leave the stadium.
• ALSO READ: Messi Delhi tour: Traffic advisory issued ahead of football giant's visit to Arun Jaitley StadiumOfficials dealing with the aftermath of the incident said the chain of events began with VIP passes being distributed liberally among politicians, organisers and their extended families.
• According to the report, one VIP pass holder was even seen “clutching Messi’s hand for a selfie” when the footballer was trying to wave at the 60,000-odd crowd.