Global football icon Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated India tour began on a turbulent note on Saturday after chaos erupted at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, where angry fans ripped up seats, threw objects onto the pitch, and breached security following the Argentine star’s brief appearance at a ticketed event.
Police confirmed that Satadru Dutta, the chief organiser of the event, has been detained in connection with the incident. “We’ve already detained the main organizer,” Rajeev Kumar, Director General of West Bengal Police, told reporters. “We’re taking action so that this mismanagement does not go unpunished.”
Messi, who was scheduled to appear at the stadium for 45 minutes, reportedly stayed for only about 20 minutes, triggering frustration among spectators who had paid high ticket prices. Tickets reportedly ranged from ₹3,500 ($38.65) to significantly higher amounts on resale platforms, with at least one fan saying he paid $130—a substantial sum in a country where the average weekly income is far lower.
Crowd Turns Restless
As word spread through the stands that Messi’s appearance was ending prematurely, sections of the crowd became unruly. Fans were seen ripping seats from the stands and hurling them onto the field, while several individuals climbed over fencing and attempted to enter the pitch.
“I can’t believe there was so much mismanagement,” said Eddie Lal Hmangaihzuala, who travelled nearly 1,500 kilometres from Mizoram over two days to attend the event. “Messi left quickly. I think he felt unsafe. I hardly got a glimpse of him,” he told Reuters.
Security personnel struggled to contain the situation, prompting Messi and his entourage to leave the venue earlier than planned. Organisers of the tour did not immediately respond to media queries seeking clarification on crowd control failures and scheduling changes.
Refunds and Police Action
According to police officials, the detained organiser has provided a written assurance that all tickets sold for the event will be refunded. “He has already pledged in writing that tickets sold for the event should be refunded,” Kumar said.
Authorities have since increased security at subsequent venues on Messi’s tour, amid concerns that similar crowd management failures could recur.
Probe Ordered by West Bengal Government
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a public apology to Messi and fans and ordered a formal investigation into the incident. Banerjee was en route to the stadium when the unrest broke out.
“I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium,” Banerjee wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “I sincerely apologize to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident.”
She announced the formation of a committee tasked with conducting a detailed enquiry, fixing responsibility, and recommending steps to prevent such incidents in the future.
Part of a Larger India Tour
Messi is visiting India as part of a multi-city tour that includes concert appearances, youth football clinics, a padel tournament, and the launch of several charitable initiatives. Scheduled stops include Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi.
Earlier on Saturday, Messi had virtually unveiled a 70-foot statue of himself in Kolkata, an event that drew massive online engagement and highlighted his immense popularity in the country.
Football Fever Meets Poor Planning
India, despite being dominated by cricket, has regions with deep-rooted football culture. West Bengal, Kerala, and Goa have long been strongholds of the sport, with generations of fans closely following international football.
Salt Lake Stadium itself has a history of crowd-related incidents. In 2012, a Kolkata derby match between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan was abandoned after a brick thrown from the stands struck and seriously injured a player.
Football legends have long drawn massive crowds in Kolkata. Diego Maradona visited the city twice and, in 2017, unveiled a statue of himself holding the World Cup before thousands of fans. Messi, too, shares a special connection with the venue, having captained Argentina there in 2011, when the team defeated Venezuela 1–0 in a friendly match.
A Warning for Mega Sporting Events
Sports management experts say the incident underscores the risks of combining high-profile global stars with inadequate crowd planning. “When expectations are sky-high and transparency is lacking, frustration can escalate quickly,” said a sports events consultant familiar with large-scale international tours in India.
As investigations continue, the Kolkata incident is likely to serve as a cautionary tale for organisers of future international sporting events in the country—where fan passion, if not properly managed, can spill into disorder.
