Lionel Messi was forced to end his stadium tour early in India on Saturday as furious supporters hurled bottles and chairs onto the pitch.

Spectators had paid up to 25,000 rupees (£206) to watch Messi do a lap of honour around the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata alongside his Inter Miami teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul.

However, Messi was surrounded by VIPs on the pitch, meaning that fans in the stands were unable to catch a glimpse of Argentina’s World Cup winner.

Due to concerns over Messi’s safety, the lap was cut short by his security team and organisers and the 38-year-old was whisked away after just ten minutes.

Hundreds of fans began to rip out chairs and hurl them towards the pitch, while another group vandalised the canopies set up for the lap of honour. Riot police were then called in to disperse the pitch invaders .

‘Seeing the utter chaos, the management, the authorities, it was absolutely rubbish,’ a supporter inside the stadium told Indian broadcaster ANI.

‘All the people you see here love football. We all wanted to see Messi, but it was a total scam. We want our money back, the management was so bad.

‘It is a black day for Kolkata. Kolkata is known for football, and we love football, we love Argentina, but this experience is absolutely a scam. The ministers were there with their children, and the other people could not see anything, we are very hurt.’

Another fan told ANI: ‘We are very disappointed.

‘My child was very excited to see Messi… I think it’s a scam for the people. When Messi arrived, everyone surrounded him.’

West Bengal chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, issued an apology for the scenes inside the stadium.

‘I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. I was on my way to the stadium to attend the event along with thousands of sports lovers and fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favourite footballer, Lionel Messi,’ Banerjee said in a statement.

‘I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident.’

Messi is in India as part of his GOAT Tour. Earlier on Saturday, a 70-foot iron statue of the football icon was unveiled at the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, Kolkata.

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Arsenal have a number of lingering injury doubts as they prepare to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers this evening.

That defeat at Aston Villa last week means just two points separate the Gunners and Manchester City who are also level on goal difference. The visit of the side slumped miserably at the bottom of the league presents the chance to add to that tally considerably tonight.

Mikel Arteta’s options are a limited in some areas however with injuries once again kicking in.

William Saliba has missed Arsenal’s last four games and having previously been coy on his situation, Arteta revealed on Friday it is a recurrence of an ankle injury troubling the Frenchman who has been unable to train.

Arteta did not rule him out of tonight’s game but yesterday’s comments would suggest he is a major doubt.

With Gabriel Magalhaes and Cristhian Mosquera still out, Jurrien Timber filled in at centre-half at Villa Park last week. But the Netherlands international is another doubt for the Wolves game after sitting out of the midweek victory over Club Brugge in the Champions League.

Christian Norgaard filled in at centre-half midweek with Riccardo Calafiori another option to come inside if required.

Declan Rice also missed the game in Belgium due to illness. The England international, who started the Villa game last week after shaking off a calf injury, will hope to recover in time although Arteta did not confirm any decision on the midfielder when he spoke to the press on Friday.

Leandro Trossard meanwhile remains a doubt.

Arteta has a growing dilemma to address up front. Viktor Gyokeres has been back in the squad for their last three league games after recovering from a hamstring injury and on each occasion, the Arsenal boss has kept his faith in Mikel Merino up top. Gabriel Jesus’ bright outing against Club Brugge also threatens to complicate the Swede’s situation.

Wolves have collected just two points from their opening 15 games, shipping 33 goals in the process. With that in mind, tonight could be the perfect opportunity for Gyokeres to rediscover some confidence in front of goal.

Arsenal XI to face Wolves – Metro prediction

Late decisions will be made on a number of players, including Timber and Rice, but in attack, Arteta was able to rotate at will midweek.

Expect Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze to come back into the side while there could be a second start in a week for Myles Lewis-Skelly if Arteta has to tinker with his backline again.

Arsenal vs Wolves kick-off time, TV channel and live stream

Arsenal vs Wolves kicks off tonight (Saturday 13 December) at 8pm.

You can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1 with streaming also available through the Discovery+ app.

Or you can follow all the action with Metro’s LIVE blog.