13 December,2025 04:02 PM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondent
Police personnel used mild force to disperse the crowd. Pic/PTI
On day one of Lionel Messi's GOAT India Tour 2025, the prime organiser of the event in Kolkata was detained by police following allegations of mismanagement and chaos at the stadium, West Bengal Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar said on Friday, reported the PTI.
According to the DGP, the event saw serious crowd management issues, which led to inconvenience and disappointment among spectators. Police intervened after complaints were received regarding poor arrangements and lack of proper control at the venue.
Rajeev Kumar also said that the organiser has been directed to refund the ticket prices to spectators who were affected by the mismanagement. The refund process will be carried out to compensate fans who were unable to enjoy the event as planned, according to the PTI.
The police said further action will be taken after a detailed review of the incident.
According to the ANI, chaos broke out at Salt Lake Stadium (Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan) in Kolkata on Saturday after angry fans accused organisers of poor management during the Lionel Messi GOAT Tour event. Police personnel used mild force to disperse the crowd after some spectators attempted to vandalise the stadium.
The officials said that several fans tried to enter the ground, damage tents and pull down goalposts after failing to get a clear view of the Argentine football legend.
Lionel Messi arrived at the stadium around 11.30 am, accompanied by Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul. However, his appearance on the pitch was brief and tightly guarded. He walked a short distance, waved to the crowd and left earlier than scheduled. Many fans who had paid between Rs 4,500 and Rs 10,000 for tickets said they were unable to see Messi properly. Some claimed that politicians, organisers and celebrities surrounded him, blocking the view from the stands, the ANI reported.
One fan said that he paid Rs 12,000 for a ticket but did not even see Messi's face. Others complained that promises of a full stadium lap, penalties and celebrity appearances were not kept, the news agency reported.
As frustration grew, bottles and plastic chairs were thrown onto the field. Sponsor banners were torn, fibreglass seats were damaged and barricades were pulled down. Hundreds of people spilled onto the pitch, forcing police to deploy additional forces, including the Rapid Action Force, to regain control.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologised to fans and Lionel Messi after the event descended into disorder. In a post on X, she said she was "deeply disturbed and shocked" by the mismanagement, according to the PTI.
Mamata Banerjee stated that a high-level enquiry committee headed by retired Calcutta High Court judge Justice Ashim Kumar Ray, with the Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary (Home) as members will probe the matter. The panel will fix responsibility and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in future.
(with PTI and ANI inputs)
