Sports
Fans vandalise India stadium after Messi’s exit | The Express Tribune
The 38-year-old superstar touched down in the eastern state of West Bengal early Saturday
Fans threw chairs onto the track of a stadium in Kolkata following an appearance of football star Lionel Messi. Photo: AFP
KOLKATA:
Angry spectators broke down barricades and stormed the pitch at a stadium in India after football star Lionel Messi, who is on a three-day tour of the country, abruptly left the arena.
As a part of a so-called GOAT Tour, the 38-year-old Argentina and Inter Miami superstar touched down in the eastern state of West Bengal early Saturday, greeted by a chorus of exuberant fans chanting his name.
Hours later, thousands of fans wearing Messi jerseys and waving the Argentine flag packed into Salt Lake stadium in the state capital Kolkata, but heavy security around the footballer left fans struggling to catch a glimpse of him.
Messi walked around the pitch waving to fans and left the stadium earlier than expected.Frustrated fans, many having paid more than $100 for tickets, ripped out stadium seats and hurled water bottles onto the track.
Many others stormed the pitch and vandalised banners and tents.
“For me, to watch Messi is a pleasure, a dream. But I have missed the chance to have a glimpse because of the mismanagement in the stadium,” businessman Nabin Chatterjee, 37, told AFP.
Before the chaos erupted, Messi unveiled a 21-metre (70-foot) statue which shows him holding aloft the World Cup.
He was also expected to play a short exhibition game at the stadium.
Another angry fan told the Press Trust of India (PTI) that people had spent “a month’s salary” to see Messi.
“I paid Rs 5,000 ($55) for the ticket and came with my son to watch Messi, not politicians. The police and military personnel were taking selfies, and the management is to blame,” Ajay Shah, told PTI.
State chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was “disturbed” and “shocked” at the mismanagement.
“I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident,” she said in a post on X, adding that she had ordered a probe into the incident.
Messi will now head to Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi as part of the four-city tour.
His time in India also includes a possible meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sports
Football Top 20: Dominant DeMatha goes wire-to-wire at No. 1
The WCAC champion is followed by the St. James Performance Academy and Archbishop Spalding in a strong top three that has remained unchanged since September.
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Best fits for transfer quarterback DJ Lagway: Five schools that make the most sense
Florida quarterback DJ Lagway announced Monday he plans to enter the transfer portal when it opens on Jan. 2. After two challenging seasons and a head coaching change in Gainesville, the former five-star recruit is ready for a fresh start that gets his development back on the right track.
Lagway, the top-rated QB and No. 8 overall recruit in the 2024 ESPN 300, battled injuries throughout his two years at Florida while putting up 4,179 passing yards, 237 rushing yards, 29 total touchdowns and 24 turnovers. He’s coming off a 4-8 season in which he threw an SEC-high 14 interceptions and ranked 14th in the conference in QBR (59.5).
But there’s still going to be a market for his talents regardless of his college résumé, because there’s a ton of untapped potential here if the 19-game starter can find the right situation and stay healthy.
The Willis, Texas, native is expected to take a hard look at opportunities closer to home, sources told ESPN, but most important is finding an ideal fit ahead of his junior season where he can get back to winning and developing into a top NFL prospect.
Here are five programs that could make sense as transfer destinations for Lagway.

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There are lots of reasons why Baylor would be a logical pick for Lagway. His father, Derek Lagway, played running back for the Bears in the late 1990s. His family would get to watch him play close to home, two hours away in Waco. Bears offensive coordinator Jake Spavital just developed departing starter Sawyer Robertson into the No. 2 passer in FBS this season with 3,681 passing yards and 31 TDs. Lagway would be a big splash for coach Dave Aranda and a program that badly needs some positive momentum. If the Bears can afford to get involved with a QB of his caliber, Lagway would be a no-brainer.
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Lane Kiffin and the new staff at LSU are hunting for an elite QB1 in the portal and should have plenty to choose from for Year 1. Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt is one potential target for the Tigers, and there’s always the possibility that Kiffin could try to bring in one of his QBs from Ole Miss. But Kiffin has gone head-to-head with Florida in each of the past two seasons and seriously considered taking the Florida job, so there’s no doubt he has already made an evaluation of Lagway.
Kiffin watched the true freshman throw for 180 yards and two TDs in a 24-17 upset of Ole Miss in 2024, and Lagway took a lead into the fourth quarter in Oxford this season. Lagway finished No. 2 nationally in yards per attempt (10.0) behind Jaxson Dart last year. Kiffin reposting the news that Lagway is entering the portal on social media Monday morning was probably just intended to troll the Gators, but we’ll see if he’s interested.
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Yes, you read that right: Clemson. The Tigers were a finalist for Lagway and Clemson was one of his favorite visits during his high school recruitment. Coach Dabo Swinney tried to make one more last-minute push for Lagway before he signed with the Gators. Clemson must replace departing senior Cade Klubnik and is expected to at least explore its options in the portal ahead of its offseason competition between Christopher Vizzina and Chris Denson. Don’t be shocked if Swinney is interested in reconnecting with a QB who could be a perfect culture fit for a program that rarely dips into the portal.
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The Hurricanes are likely going back to the portal for a third year in a row to find their starting QB after succeeding with Cam Ward and Carson Beck. There were lots of rumors during the season that they were eyeing South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, but Sellers opted to re-sign and stick with the Gamecocks for 2026. Lagway had a rough outing against Miami’s defense back in September, completing 12 of 23 passes for 61 yards in a 26-7 defeat, but Hurricanes coaches are well aware of his upside if he’s put in a better situation next season.
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This could be a good move for the Horned Frogs if Josh Hoover elects to enter the transfer portal in January. They’re going through big changes on offense and just brought in new OC Gordon Sammis from UConn to transition toward a more run-balanced attack. TCU still needs to hire a quarterbacks coach, and Hoover hasn’t given an indication that he’s leaning toward leaving. But if he does decide there’s a better opportunity elsewhere, TCU will be looking for an experienced replacement.
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Jets defensive lineman rips NFL officials after ejection vs Jaguars
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New York Jets defensive lineman Khalen Saunders ripped NFL officials on Sunday after he was ejected from the Jacksonville Jaguars game for contact with an official.
The incident occurred in the third quarter of the 48-20 loss to the Jaguars. Saunders and other players were involved in a shoving contest after the Jaguars’ extra-point attempt following a Travis Etienne touchdown.
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New York Jets defensive tackle Khalen Saunders leaves the field during the Jaguars game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Florida. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Saunders made contact with an official who was trying to break up the scrum. He was tossed from the game.
On social media, Saunders was upset with the decision.
“7 years, no ejections, no unsportsmanlike conducts, i think maybe one Unnecessary roughness for a tackle right at the whistle in a preseason game,” he wrote on X. “Surrounded by opponents, fending folks off me, and here i am ‘striking an official’ lmao gtfo.
RAMS’ CLUTCH TOUCHDOWN IN WIN OVER LIONS SPARKS FRENZIED DEBATE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

New York Jets defensive tackle Khalen Saunders takes the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Nov. 23, 2025. (Peter Casey/Imagn Images)
“Do better. @NFL @NFLOfficiating.”
Saunders joined the Jets on Nov. 17 after the Jaguars released him. Sunday’s game was his fourth with Gang Green. He had one tackle against Jacksonville.
Coming into the game, he had six total tackles in five games this season. He played two seasons with the New Orleans Saints before joining the Jaguars earlier this year. He also played for the Kansas City Chiefs.
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Saunders won two Super Bowl titles while he was with the Chiefs.
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