Chaos Erupts at Lionel Messi’s Kolkata Event: Organiser Arrested, CM Apologises

Kolkata: The much-anticipated Kolkata leg of Lionel Messi’s G.O.A.T. India Tour descended into chaos on Saturday at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium), leaving thousands of fans disappointed and frustrated.

Despite paying ticket prices ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹25,000, many attendees were unable to get a clear view of the Argentine football legend due to poor visibility and overcrowding around him.

Messi, the 2022 World Cup winner, arrived at the venue around 11:15 a.m. and remained for only about 20 minutes. He was scheduled to complete a full lap of honour around the stadium but was forced to leave early amid escalating unrest. Fans expressed outrage as security personnel, VIP guests, politicians, and ministers surrounded Messi, blocking views from the stands. Some supporters threw chairs and bottles, while others breached the field and vandalised event setups, including canopies.

The disruption prevented scheduled appearances by Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Police and Rapid Action Force personnel used mild force to control the crowd and restore order.

In response, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a public apology, expressing deep shock over the mismanagement. “I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium,” she posted on X. “I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident.” She announced the formation of an enquiry committee, chaired by retired Justice Ashim Kumar Ray and including the Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary (Home and Hill Affairs), to investigate the incident, assign responsibility, and suggest preventive measures.

Disgruntled fans voiced their anger, with one stating, “It was a terrible event. He was here for just 10 minutes, surrounded by leaders and ministers. We couldn’t see anything. No kicks, no penalties, and promises like Shah Rukh Khan’s appearance weren’t fulfilled. So much money, time, and emotion wasted.”

The event’s chief organiser, Satadru Dutta (also spelt Shatadru Datta), was arrested after an FIR was filed against him. Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Jawed Shamim confirmed the arrest and noted that organisers have promised refunds to ticket holders, with authorities overseeing the process.

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