West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose announced that the organiser of Lionel Messi’s GOAT Tour event has been arrested following a chaotic incident at Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.
The Kolkata leg of Messi’s GOAT Tour turned chaotic as fans, who had paid high ticket prices, began throwing bottles and trying to break gates between stands after the Argentine legend left early.
Angry fans resorted to vandalism at the stadium, blaming poor event management and criticizing VIPs and politicians for monopolizing Messi’s attention, leaving fans without a glimpse of him.
The situation escalated when fans attempted to vandalize the tent and goal post. Police used mild force to disperse the crowd from the ground.
Satadru Dutta, the main organiser, was arrested. Governor Ananda Bose stated, “The organiser has been arrested, and an investigation has been done…”
After the incident, ADG Law and Order Jawed Shamim confirmed the situation is under control. An FIR has been lodged, the chief organiser arrested, and organisers promised to refund fans.
“Normalcy has returned. The FIR is lodged, the chief organiser arrested… Organisers promise to return the ticket fees,” Jawed Shamim informed reporters.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologized to fans for the chaos at Messi’s event.
“I am deeply disturbed and shocked by today’s mismanagement. I apologize to Lionel Messi and all sports lovers,” Mamata Banerjee wrote on X.
She announced an enquiry committee led by Justice (Retd.) Ashim Kumar Ray to investigate and prevent future occurrences.
The All India Football Federation expressed concern over the events, clarifying it was a privately organized event, and urged attendees to cooperate with authorities.
“This was a private event by a PR agency. AIFF was not involved. We urge cooperation with authorities,” they stated.
