The much-anticipated visit by football legend Lionel Messi to Kolkata descended into mayhem on Saturday, leaving behind a scene of fan outrage and vandalism. Satadru Dutta, the promoter of the event, was arrested at the Kolkata airport on Saturday and presented in court on Sunday, where he was denied bail.
The chaos erupted at the Salt Lake Stadium after thousands of fans, who had paid hefty sums—some up to ₹20,000 for tickets—failed to catch a clear glimpse of Messi, his Inter Miami teammate Luis Suarez, and Rodrigo de Paul. Messi’s brief 20-minute appearance was marred by a large crowd of VIPs and officials surrounding him on the pitch, effectively obscuring the view for the thousands in the stands.
Frustrated fans retaliated by hurling chairs and bottles, vandalizing stadium property, and storming the pitch. The incident was dubbed a “dark day for the sports-loving people of Kolkata” by West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose.
Political Tensions Flare Over Mismanagement
The fallout from the event has escalated into political controversy.
- Governor’s Scrutiny: Governor CV Ananda Bose visited the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday for a ground inspection, accompanied by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant and senior police officers. This visit followed an earlier attempt on Saturday, which Bose claims was blocked by the Mamata Banerjee government when he found the stadium gates closed and lights switched off. Bose had earlier directed the state government to arrest the organiser and blamed the police for failing to manage the massive crowds.
- Official Inquiry: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who apologized for the incident, has established a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the matter. The panel is headed by retired Calcutta High Court judge Ashim Kumar Ray, with the Chief Secretary and Home Secretary as members, tasked with fixing responsibility and recommending preventive measures.
Dutta, who had previously organized successful visits by football legends like Pelé and Diego Maradona, now faces an uncertain future as police investigate the alleged mismanagement and ticket refunds are being demanded by the thousands of disappointed fans.