State Sports Minister Nisith Pramanik had earlier announced that the structure located near the VVIP gate of the stadium would be demolished.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The demolition work began on Saturday morning and was completed shortly thereafter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The statue had been installed in 2017 during the renovation of the Yuva Bharati Stadium in Salt Lake ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted in India that year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The structure, extending from the feet to the waist and featuring the Biswa Bangla logo, had reportedly been designed by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The installation had triggered controversy soon after it was unveiled, with many football supporters and social media users criticising the structure as bizarre and visually unappealing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Several football fans had questioned the meaning and artistic interpretation of the installation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Following the change of government in the state, Sports Minister Nisith Pramanik visited Yuva Bharati on May 17 to watch the Mohun Bagan-East Bengal derby.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Speaking to reporters after the match, Pramanik criticised the structure and said: \u201cSuch a strange and bizarre statue, a football on a severed leg. I think the bad days of the previous government started after installing this statue. Then the Messi scandal happened and the government is no longer in power.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He subsequently informed the Public Works Department that the structure would be removed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After the demolition on Saturday morning, only two boots and a football remained at the site.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He subsequently informed the Public Works Department that the structure would be removed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On the night of the derby, Pramanik had said: \u201cWe won\u2019t keep a statue that has no meaning. A statue of a famous footballer will be installed in its place.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n