Police throw security blanket as Messi fever sweeps Hyderabad

Hyderabad is settling in for a football weekend with a difference as Lionel Messi arrives on Saturday (December 13) for the G.O.A.T India Tour 2025, prompting the Hyderabad police to roll out an extensive security plan for the match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal.

The event at the stadium, which can seat about 39,000 spectators, has led to a deployment of nearly 2,500 personnel across security, traffic and law-and-order units, along with Telangana State Special Police (TSSP) and armed reserve (AR) platoons, Octopus teams, mounted police, Vajra vehicles, Special Branch, CCS, SOT and fire services. Senior officers outlined these arrangements during the Rachakonda police coordination review for the match.

A network of 450 CCTV cameras has been set up in and around the stadium, covering checkpoints, approach routes and parking areas. A joint command and control room will monitor feeds through the day. Bomb disposal teams and sniffer dogs will conduct continuous anti sabotage checks, supported by scanners at each gate. Officers from the rank of sub-inspector upwards will carry VHF sets to ensure quick communication.

Gate no. 1 will be restricted to players and VVIPs. Spectators will be allowed entry only through the gates assigned to their tickets, with admission based solely on QR codes generated through the District App. Each code will be valid for a single scan. Physical passes with barcodes will be issued only to authorised personnel, and attempts at unauthorised entry will attract criminal action.

Items prohibited inside the venue include laptops, banners, water bottles, cameras, cigarettes, umbrellas, electronic devices, matchboxes, lighters, sharp objects, binoculars, pens, batteries, helmets, perfumes, bags and outside food. SHE Teams will be positioned to prevent harassment, and separate squads will oversee vendors and monitor crowd movement.

Technicians will be deployed at each gate to check spectators’ mobile phones, while mounted police will manage crowd control at key entry points. All personnel engaged by the organisers have undergone verification and will carry photo passes issued after screening.

Signage has been placed along approach routes to guide spectators to designated parking areas, mainly the IILA facility. Stadium gates will open at 4.00 p.m. Five ambulances will be stationed to handle medical emergencies. Special teams will monitor black-ticket activity, and five patrolling units will manage the 13 outer gates of the stadium.