Kolkata, India – The organizers of the highly anticipated Lionel Messi G.O.A.T. India Tour event at Kolkata's Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) Stadium are promising to reimburse fans after a day marred by chaos and disappointment. The event, which was meant to be a historic moment for Indian football, quickly devolved into disarray, triggering widespread anger and political fallout.
The trouble began when fans, who had paid hefty sums for tickets, found themselves unable to catch a clear glimpse of the Argentine football icon. Many attendees described the event as more of a "VIP show" than a celebration for the fans, with Messi remaining surrounded by ministers and officials during his brief appearance. "He was there for barely 10 minutes. He did not take a single kick or penalty. People spent a lot of money and came with huge expectations, but it felt like everything was wasted," one fan lamented.
Frustration boiled over as fans broke security barricades and threw objects, including chairs, onto the field. West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar stated that the unrest appeared to stem from confusion and disappointment over Messi's limited role in the event. The original plan involved a brief appearance, greeting spectators, and meeting select invitees, rather than participating in a match.
The incident has sparked a political storm in West Bengal. West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose described the chaos as a "dark day" for Kolkata's sports-loving community and called for strict action against those responsible. He asserted that the primary responsibility lay with the organizers but also pointed to shortcomings on the part of the police. Bose has demanded that the event organizer be arrested and held accountable for the lapses, suggesting they be booked for attempt to murder and that police officers who did not take precautions should be suspended. Furthermore, he insisted that those who purchased tickets for the event must get a refund and charges should be levied on the organizers for damage to the stadium and other public places.
Following the chaos, police detained Satadru Datta, the prime organizer of the event, for alleged mismanagement. DGP Rajeev Kumar confirmed that the organizer had given written assurance to refund ticket prices to the disappointed spectators.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a three-member committee to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future. "Once again, I extend my heartfelt apologies to all sports lovers," she stated, expressing her shock and disturbance at the mismanagement.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has blamed the organizers and "BJP-backed" elements for the fiasco, suggesting it was an attempt to smear the state's image. The party expressed concern over the presence of "saffron flags" during the chaotic events.
The incident has raised broader questions about the standards of event planning for high-profile sporting programs in India, particularly concerning fan safety and transparency. The governor has suggested that a Standard Operating Procedure should be in place to ensure smooth conduct and proceedings for such large congregations.
Despite the debacle in Kolkata, the Lionel Messi G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025 continued with subsequent events in Hyderabad and New Delhi. Organizers stated that crowd management and access protocols would be tightened for these legs of the tour.
