Fans enter the pitch as they vandalize the Salt Lake Stadium, accusing them of mismanagement during the GOAT India Tour 2025 of Argentina’s soccer player Lionel Messi in Kolkata, Saturday, December 13, 2025. | Photo credit: ANI
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose was barred from the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday (Dec 13, 2025) evening, hours after violence broke out at the venue following vandalism by spectators following a brief public appearance by football legend Lionel Messi.
Football fans were upset that despite paying for stadium tickets to catch a glimpse of their favorite player, they could not get a proper glimpse of Lionel Messi as organizers and VIPs surrounded the football legend.
When the governor arrived at the stadium, the gates were closed and the lights turned off.
“This is not a key to the gate…remember, all for a nail, the kingdom was lost. If anyone deliberately tries to hide the truth from the constitutional head of state, he is in a fool’s paradise,” the governor remarked.
Watch: West Bengal governor denied entry to Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium after vandalism during Messi’s visit
Raj Bhavan officials said the Governor visited the stadium to get first-hand information about the situation so that he could send a message to the Centre.
Earlier in the day, after soccer fans vandalized parts of the stadium, police cleared the venue of spectators and media personnel. The governor issued an order to the state government to order a judicial inquiry into the incident, arrest the organizer and refund the ticket money to the public.
The West Bengal Police arrested Satadra Dutta, the main organizer of the event, and assured that the fans would be compensated. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the setting up of a commission of inquiry to probe the mismanagement at the stadium.
On Friday (December 12), the governor wrote to the state government requesting a detailed report on the arrangements made for the footballer’s visit to Kolkata.
Published – 13 Dec 2025 22:05 IST
