Messi jibe banner sets off fan scrap in Ctg

CHITTAGONG — A violent confrontation broke out between rival fan groups in a densely populated district of Chittagong on Tuesday, after a provocative banner disparaging Argentine football icon Lionel Messi triggered a public disturbance. The clash highlights the volatile intersection of global sports fandom and local social cohesion in a region where international football allegiances frequently manifest as intense, real-world conflict.

Local law enforcement reported that the incident began in the afternoon when a group of spectators erected the banner in a public square. The display quickly drew the ire of opposing fans, leading to verbal abuse that rapidly escalated into physical skirmishes. Several individuals sustained minor injuries during the melee, forcing nearby businesses to close their doors as the confrontation spilled into the thoroughfare. Police were dispatched to disperse the crowd and restore order.