Fans vandalize the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata after Lionel Messi’s visit on December 13, 2025. | Photo credit: Debasish Bhaduri
The main organizer of football legend Lionel Messi’s guest appearance at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday (Dec 13, 2025), Shatadra Dutta, was arrested after violence broke out among fans during the event, West Bengal Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar said.
“We will take action against the mismanagement we saw from the organisers, with their security team and press team running around. We have already arrested the organiser,” Mr Kumar said on Saturday (Dec 13, 2025).
During the event, angry football fans who had bought tickets to catch a glimpse of Messi in Kolkata on his GOAT India tour turned violent after their view of the footballer was completely blocked by a crowd of around 70 to 80 politicians and celebrities who reportedly surrounded Messi until he left the venue.
“We have already told the organisers, he is giving in writing, that the tickets sold should be refunded… A lot of fans must have felt that they could see Messi play but they couldn’t. We expect the organizers to be accommodating in terms of ticket refunds. We will ensure legal action,” Kumar said.
Jawed Shamim, Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, said that calm has been restored in the stadium area, traffic has been normalized and spectators have returned home safely. He added that a First Information Report (FIR) is being prepared.
“There was no arson or vandalism outside. The incident has been localized and confined to the Salt Lake Stadium. An investigation has been initiated. We are taking the matter seriously, it is a major incident and we will ensure that whoever is responsible for what happened at the Salt Lake Stadium is punished and all possible action is taken,” Shamim said.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also constituted an inquiry committee headed by Chief Justice (retired) Ashim Kumar Ray, comprising the Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Mountain Affairs to probe the incident.
Published – 13 Dec 2025 15:27 IST
