Kolkata police have arrested the chief organizer of Saturday’s occasion linked to Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi’s go to to the Salt Lake Stadium after chaos erupted when the footballer stayed just for a couple of minutes and was barely seen to most attendees.
Scores of indignant followers misplaced their cool on the Yubha Bharati Krirangan in Salt Lake, hurling bottles and chairs onto the pitch after Messi’s transient look, prompting riot police deployment to carry the state of affairs beneath management.
Govt Varieties Committee To Probe
“There was some form of anger and nervousness among the many followers as a result of he was not enjoying,” West Bengal director normal of police Rajeev Kumar instructed information company PTI. “The plan was that he would come, wave, meet sure folks and depart. The federal government has constituted a committee to look into all elements.”
The state police chief stated organizers have given a written assurance that ticket cash could be refunded. “The state of affairs is now beneath management,” he stated.
Tickets for the occasion have been bought at costs starting from ₹4,000 to ₹25,000, based on followers.
Organizer Detained First, Arrested Later
The organizer was initially detained earlier than being formally arrested, a truth later confirmed by further director normal of police (regulation and order) Jawed Shamim. “An FIR has been lodged and the chief organizer has been arrested,” Shamim instructed ANI.
Native media experiences recognized the arrested organizer as Satadru Dutta, although the id has not been independently confirmed.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was scheduled to attend the occasion however couldn’t attain the venue as a result of unrest, expressed shock over the incident and apologized publicly.
“I sincerely apologize to Lionel Messi, in addition to to all sports activities lovers and his followers, for the unlucky incident,” Banerjee wrote on X. She added that she was “deeply disturbed and shocked” by the mismanagement at Salt Lake Stadium.
Followers make clear anger not at Messi
Followers, each contained in the stadium and on social media, directed their anger not at Messi however at what they described as an expertise hijacked by poor planning, restricted entry and VIP prioritisation.
Movies shared by information businesses confirmed livid spectators accusing organizers of turning this system right into a “VIP showcase”. One fan stated regardless of paying ₹12,000 for a ticket, he “could not even see Messi’s face”, claiming that “solely leaders and actors have been surrounding him”.
One other supporter stated the gang by no means obtained what they have been promised. “There was no kick, no penalty,” he stated, as chants demanding refunds echoed via the stands.
Saturday’s program was the primary cease of Messi’s three-day, four-city ‘GOAT India Tour 2025’, which has now come beneath scrutiny following the violent scenes in Kolkata.