Messi Event Kolkata / Messi Event in Kolkata Turns Chaotic: Fans Outraged After Paying 12K, Organizer Arrested

Fans in Kolkata erupted in anger during Lionel Messi's event, unable to catch a glimpse despite paying 12,000 rupees for tickets. The frustrated crowd threw chairs and bottles, leading to vandalism. Police arrested the main organizer, and CM Mamata Banerjee apologized, forming an inquiry committee.

A highly anticipated event featuring Argentine football legend Lionel Messi in Kolkata descended into chaos as frustrated fans, who had paid exorbitant prices for tickets, were unable to catch a glimpse of their idol, while the outrage led to widespread vandalism at the Salt Lake Stadium, with chairs and water bottles being thrown. Following the incident, police have arrested the main organizer, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata. Banerjee has issued an apology, announcing the formation of a high-level committee to investigate the matter.

Messi's India Tour and Kolkata Visit

Lionel Messi, the globally renowned Argentine footballer, is on a three-day tour of India, which includes visits to four cities: Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. On the first day of his tour, Messi arrived in Kolkata, where he virtually inaugurated a 70-foot-tall statue. Subsequently, he made an appearance at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium, where. A massive crowd of fans had gathered, eagerly awaiting his presence since morning. However, Messi's visit to the stadium was brief, and he departed quickly, leaving thousands of fans deeply disappointed.

Fan Outrage and Stadium Chaos

Messi's swift departure and the perceived lack of interaction with the fans ignited a furious reaction among the attendees. Their anger over the mismanagement quickly escalated into a chaotic scene. Disgruntled fans began throwing water bottles and chairs inside the stadium, and reports of vandalism emerged from various sections, while many fans expressed their frustration, stating that despite spending thousands of rupees on tickets, they were denied even a fleeting glimpse of their beloved star. The unfortunate incident also resulted in one fan sustaining injuries and being hospitalized for treatment.

In the wake of the pandemonium and mismanagement at the Salt Lake Stadium, West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Rajiv Kumar assured immediate action. He announced that the main organizer, Swarup Dutta, had already been taken into custody. The DGP stated that the police were taking steps to. Ensure that those responsible for the mismanagement would be held accountable. Shortly after, the police formally arrested Swarup Dutta, sending a clear message that the authorities were taking the matter seriously and wouldn't tolerate such organizational failures.

12,000 Rupee Tickets, Utter Disappointment

One fan, visibly distraught by the incident, spoke to the media, expressing their profound disappointment, while they revealed that they had purchased a ticket for 12,000 rupees and had traveled all the way from Darjeeling to Kolkata solely to see Messi. However, they were unable to catch even a single glimpse of their star. The fan labeled the entire event as 'disappointing. ' Numerous other fans echoed similar sentiments, stating that they had arrived with high hopes but were met only with trouble and a sense of betrayal, while they collectively denounced the event as 'rubbish' and demanded refunds for their tickets.

'Cheated' and 'Black Day' – Fan Reactions

Another enraged fan, speaking to the media, vehemently declared the event to be 'utter rubbish' and a 'complete fraud. ' He emphasized that everyone present in the stadium was a football lover who had come to see Messi, but they were left feeling cheated. The fan accused the organizers of severe mismanagement and branded the day as a 'black day' for Kolkata. He further alleged that ministers were present with their children and had the opportunity to see Messi, while the common public saw nothing. He lamented that Kolkata is known for its love of football and Argentina, but this experience was a complete betrayal, leaving them deeply saddened.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Apology and Inquiry Committee

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her deep regret over the unfortunate incident. In a post on social media platform X, she offered her apologies to Lionel Messi and all sports enthusiasts for the mismanagement, while the Chief Minister stated that she was shocked by the disorganization at Messi's event in Kolkata. She announced the formation of a high-level committee to investigate the incident, aiming to prevent such occurrences in the future and ensure appropriate action against those responsible. She reiterated her condolences and expressed her profound sadness regarding the event.

#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: A fan of star footballer Lionel Messi says, "... Seeing the utter chaos, the management, the authorities, it was absolutely rubbish. All the people you see here love football. We all wanted to see Messi, but it was a total scam. We want our money… https://t.co/Ce4kNu8dBH pic.twitter.com/8yOMxrw79H
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025

I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. I was on my way to the stadium to attend the event along with thousands of sports lovers and fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favourite footballer, Lionel Messi.

I…
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 13, 2025