Huge Messi cutout collapses in Malappuram as fans run to safety, video goes viral

MALAPPURAM: As FIFA World Cup 2022 inches closer to its kick-off, excitement is at an all-time high among football fans in Kerala. Cutouts and banners of different teams have been erected across the state. On Sunday, one such cutout of football superstar Lionel Messi collapsed while being installed Edakkara Munda in Malappuram. This huge cutout was 65-feet tall. At the time of installation, Argentina fans in the area were present there.

According to reports, this cutout has been prepared at a cost of Rs 1,00,000. On seeing the cutout collapsing fans ran away. Fans say that the broken cutout will be fixed and installed as soon as possible. A 40-foot-tall cutout of Messi was installed in this area during the last World Cup.

Meanwhile, a 30-foot-tall Messi cutout erected by fans at Kurungattukadavu in Cherupuzha in Pullavoor near Koduvally in Kozhikode went viral, not only in Kerala but on a global scale. After this, cutouts of Brazilian star Neymar were also installed by the side river.

Earlier there were reports that the Chathamangalam Panchayat had asked to remove the cutouts in the river. According to reports, the action was taken on the basis of a complaint that the natural flow of water in the river was obstructed. But panchayat president Olikal Ghafoor said that no such instructions were given to remove the cutouts.

"Panchayat can stand only with the sentiments of the people. It is true that there was a complaint and an on-site inspection was conducted", he said.