Kolkata, Dec. 13 -- Global soccer icon Lionel Messi's much-publicised India tour began with mayhem at the giant Salt Lake stadium (Yuva Bharati Krirangan) on Saturday, as irate fans indulged in large-scale vandalism over their inability to catch a proper glimpse of the soccer magician despite having shelled out astronomical amounts for tickets.
The shameful incidents, relayed globally by top broadcasters and news outlets, prompted the West Bengal police to arrest the tour's main organiser, while the state government ordered a high-level inquiry headed by a retired high court judge. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly apologised to Messi and soccer fans.
The Saturday morning soccer fever, which had gripped Kolkata as star-struck fans f...