Kolkata — The prime organiser of Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium was detained on Sunday following widespread chaos and allegations of gross mismanagement, West Bengal Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar said. He also confirmed that the organiser has been directed to refund ticket prices to disappointed spectators.
What was promoted as a landmark football spectacle spiralled into disorder on Saturday as thousands of fans protested after failing to get a clear view of Argentine football icon Lionel Messi at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. The unrest prompted police action, including a baton charge, and led Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to order a high-level enquiry into the incident.
Messi, accompanied by Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, arrived at the stadium around 11.30 am. His vehicle was parked near the touchline, where he was immediately surrounded by VIPs, organisers, celebrities and security personnel. As a result, large sections of spectators seated in the galleries were unable to see him clearly.
The World Cup-winning captain walked only briefly on the pitch and waved to the crowd amid chants of “Messi, Messi.” Many fans complained that even the giant screens failed to offer a proper view. Anger mounted when it became evident that Messi would not complete the promised lap of honour and exited the field midway through his scheduled appearance.
As news of his early departure spread, tempers flared. Angry spectators began throwing bottles and plastic chairs onto the pitch, tearing down sponsor banners and hoardings, smashing fibreglass seats and attempting to breach barricades. Protesters raised slogans demanding action against state Sports Minister Aroop Biswas and event organiser Shatadru Datta, accusing them of mismanagement.
Eyewitnesses said organisers were no longer visible at the venue soon after Messi left. Public address announcements asking unauthorised persons to vacate the field went unheeded, and hundreds of spectators spilled onto the pitch, damaging temporary structures and equipment. Police struggled to contain the situation, leading to the deployment of the Rapid Action Force.
“This was complete mismanagement,” said Ajay Shah, who attended the event with his son. “People have spent a month’s salary to see Messi. I paid Rs 5,000 for a ticket. We came to see Messi, not politicians. There was no drinking water, and even the police were busy taking selfies.”
Ticket prices ranged between Rs 4,500 and Rs 10,000, with many fans arriving early in the morning hoping for a close glimpse of the football legend.
The chaos forced organisers to curtail the programme abruptly, preventing several dignitaries, including Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, from participating as scheduled.
Police sources said the situation was prevented from escalating further only because Messi was escorted out early and additional security forces were rushed to the venue.
Hours later, Chief Minister Banerjee expressed shock over the incident and announced the formation of a high-level enquiry committee. In a post on X, she apologised to Messi and football fans, saying she was deeply disturbed by the mismanagement at the stadium. The committee, chaired by retired Calcutta High Court judge Justice Ashim Kumar Ray, will include the chief secretary and the additional chief secretary of the Home and Hill Affairs department. It has been tasked with fixing responsibility and recommending steps to prevent such incidents in the future.
Governor C.V. Ananda Bose described the episode as a “dark day” for Kolkata’s sports culture and directed the state government to arrest the event organiser for mismanagement. While holding organisers primarily responsible, he also said the police had failed the government and the public.
For a city renowned for its footballing passion, the scenes of vandalism and angry crowds stood in sharp contrast to the promise of the day, as a long-awaited Messi appearance ended in chaos at one of India’s largest football arenas.
