Messi Event Turns Chaotic in Kolkata, Prime Organiser Detained; Ticket Refunds Ordered

Kolkata, December 13, 2025: The main organiser of Argentine football star Lionel Messi’s high-profile appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium was detained on Sunday after the event descended into chaos, West Bengal Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar said. He confirmed that the organiser has been instructed to refund ticket money to spectators who were left disappointed.

What was projected as a historic football celebration at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan unraveled on Saturday as thousands of fans protested over poor visibility and alleged mismanagement. The situation escalated rapidly, forcing police to resort to a baton charge, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ordered a high-level probe into the incident.

Messi, accompanied by teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, reached the stadium around 11.30 am. His vehicle was parked near the touchline, where he was quickly encircled by VIPs, organisers and security personnel. As a result, spectators seated in large sections of the galleries were unable to get a clear view of the football icon.

The World Cup-winning captain stepped onto the pitch briefly and waved to the crowd amid loud chants, but fans grew frustrated when it became clear that he would not complete the promised lap around the stadium. Many also complained that the giant screens failed to provide proper visuals.

Anger spilled over soon after Messi exited the field ahead of schedule. Protesters hurled bottles and plastic chairs, vandalised sponsor hoardings, damaged fibreglass seating and attempted to break through barricades. Slogans were raised against state Sports Minister Aroop Biswas and event organiser Shatadru Datta, with fans accusing them of gross mismanagement.

Eyewitnesses said organisers were largely absent from the venue once Messi left. Despite repeated public announcements, crowds surged onto the pitch, damaging temporary installations and equipment. Police struggled to control the situation, prompting the deployment of the Rapid Action Force.

Calling the incident a complete failure, spectator Ajay Shah said fans had spent large sums to attend the event. “People came to see Messi, not politicians. I paid Rs 5,000 for my ticket, and there wasn’t even drinking water,” he said.

Tickets for the event were priced between Rs 4,500 and Rs 10,000, with many fans arriving early in the morning in anticipation of a close encounter with the football legend.

The unrest led to the abrupt cancellation of the remaining programme, preventing the participation of several dignitaries, including actor Shah Rukh Khan, former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Later in the day, the chief minister expressed shock over the developments and announced a high-level enquiry committee chaired by retired Calcutta High Court judge Justice Ashim Kumar Ray. The panel has been tasked with fixing accountability and suggesting measures to avoid such incidents in the future. Governor C.V. Ananda Bose termed the episode a “dark day” for the city’s sporting legacy and called for strict action against those responsible.

For a city known for its deep-rooted football culture, the violent scenes and angry crowds marked a bitter end to what was meant to be a celebratory Messi moment at one of India’s largest stadiums.