Messi Show Turns Ugly in Kolkata
Fans riot after poor visibility at Salt Lake Stadium; CM apologises, probe ordered
- Fans vandalise Salt Lake Stadium after failing to see Lionel Messi
- BJP attacks Mamata Banerjee, calls event a global embarrassment
- Governor orders arrest of organiser, refund of ticket money
- FIR filed, organiser arrested amid political storm
GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 13th Dec: What was expected to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for football fans in Kolkata turned into chaos on Saturday as thousands of supporters failed to catch even a glimpse of global football icon Lionel Messi at Salt Lake Stadium, triggering vandalism, political outrage and administrative action.
Messi, who arrived in Kolkata early in the morning as part of the first leg of his three-day India tour, made a brief appearance at the stadium after unveiling a statue of himself in the city. However, surrounded by dignitaries and politicians, his limited visibility left thousands of fans—many of whom had paid up to Rs 14,000 for tickets—angry and disappointed.
The situation soon spiralled out of control as fans booed officials, hurled chairs and bottles, stormed the field and damaged stadium infrastructure. With security arrangements collapsing, Messi’s stadium lap had to be curtailed and he was swiftly escorted out by organisers of the ‘GOAT Tour’.
As police struggled to restore order, riot control forces were deployed. Angry spectators demanded refunds, alleging gross mismanagement. Messi later left for Hyderabad, his next destination, even as the state government found itself under intense scrutiny ahead of Assembly elections due in a few months.
The BJP launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, calling the episode a “total embarrassment” on the global stage. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala said the incident showed the state government’s inability to organise or manage a major international event.
Responding to the backlash, Banerjee apologised publicly, saying she was “shocked by the mismanagement” at the stadium. She announced an inquiry headed by retired judge Ashim Kumar Ray, along with senior state officials, to fix responsibility.
The Trinamool Congress also distanced itself from the organisers. Party general secretary Kunal Ghosh questioned the lack of basic planning and said the spectators’ anger was justified. “Kolkata was shamed,” he remarked.
West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose termed the incident “a dark day for the sports-loving people of Kolkata” and blamed both the organisers and the police. He issued a set of directives, including the arrest of the organiser, a judicial probe and refund of ticket money.
Soon after, an FIR was registered against the main organiser, Shatadru Dutta, who was arrested by the police as investigations began into the lapses that led to the chaos.
