Kolkata, Dec. 14 -- The All India Football Federation (AIFF) president,

Chaubey said that the fiasco caused at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata during Argentina football legend Lionel Messi's visit as a part of his 'GOAT India Tour' could cost India as it tries to portray its soft power via sport in its mission to host the 2036 Olympics.

Messi's Kolkata leg of the 'GOAT Tour 2025' ended in chaotic mode on Saturday. While the moment was supposed to be a moment of union between the World Cup-winning superstar and a football-crazy state, the presence of VIPs and politicians on the pitch with Messi sent fans into frenzy as they could barely catch a glimpse of the footballer for whom they had paid their hard-earned money. They alleged that their...