KOLKATA, Dec 13 — A high-profile Lionel Messi appearance at Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday ended in unrest, prompting the West Bengal government to order a high-level enquiry and police to detain the event organiser, officials said.
Angry spectators protested after failing to get a clear view of the Argentine football star during the short appearance. Messi, accompanied by teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, arrived at 11:30 a.m., but large sections of the crowd could not see him clearly as his vehicle and entourage were quickly surrounded by VIPs and security personnel.
Governor C.V. Ananda Bose described the incident as a “dark day” for Kolkata’s sports culture and called for the organiser’s arrest. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a committee chaired by retired Calcutta High Court judge Justice Ashim Kumar Ray to determine responsibility and suggest measures to prevent future incidents.
“I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium,” Banerjee said in a social media post, apologising to Messi and sports lovers.
Eyewitnesses reported fans throwing bottles and chairs, damaging banners, and spilling onto the pitch after Messi exited midway. Police deployed the Rapid Action Force to control the situation. Organisers, including Datta, were reportedly not visible during the escalation.
Ticket holders had paid between Rs 4,500 and Rs 10,000 for access, with many spending hours in anticipation. Ajay Shah, a fan, said, “People came to see Messi, not politicians. There was no drinking water, and even the police were busy taking selfies.”
The incident also led to the cancellation of appearances by Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, former cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, and other dignitaries, as organisers struggled to manage the crowd. The West Bengal DGP said refunds would be issued to ticket holders.
