Messi’s Kolkata event collapses amid chaos, organiser arrested

A major event during football legend Lionel Messi’s Kolkata visit collapsed amid widespread chaos on Saturday, December 13, at Yuva Bharati Krirangan. The situation spiralled out of control after sections of the crowd, angered at being unable to see Messi properly, began throwing chairs and bottles. Citing security concerns, organisers swiftly escorted Messi out of the stadium.

Following the incident, police arrested the main organiser, Shatadru Dutta. Additional Director General of Law and Order Jawed Shamim confirmed the arrest, adding that an FIR has been filed against the organisers.

Ticket prices for the event ranged from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000. However, many attendees complained that due to strict security arrangements they could not clearly see Messi from the stands. Messi remained surrounded by security personnel and invited guests, fuelling dissatisfaction among general spectators.

Messi arrived at Yuva Bharati at 11:15am and stayed for around 20 minutes. Although the 2022 World Cup-winning star was scheduled to complete a lap of the stadium, the programme was cancelled due to the disorder.

Tensions escalated shortly after Messi entered the venue. Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were invited to the programme, but none could attend due to the situation. The event was cut short amid the chaos.

As the situation worsened, organiser Shatadru Dutta and security personnel jointly removed Messi quickly from the Salt Lake Stadium area. At the same time, several spectators entered the field and vandalised the canopy set up for the programme.

Speaking to NDTV, one spectator described the incident as “extremely embarrassing”, while another blamed the entire episode on gross mismanagement.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly apologised for the incident. In a post on social media platform X, she said she was deeply shocked and distressed by the mismanagement at Salt Lake Stadium, adding that she too was scheduled to attend the programme along with thousands of sports enthusiasts.

She further said she sincerely apologised to Lionel Messi, sports lovers and Messi fans for the unfortunate incident.