Lionel Messi fans in Kolkata were in for terrible disappointment during his ongoing “GOAT Tour” visit today December 13, after the football icon’s public appearance at Salt Lake Stadium lasted only about 20 minutes amid chaos and poor event management.

Within minutes of arriving at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, Messi was surrounded by a bevy of politicians, police officers, VIPs and their aides, forming a human blockade that ensured the paying public saw everything except Messi.

Organiser Satadru Dutta repeatedly pleaded over the public address system to leave Messi alone. Please vacate the ground.” The appeals fell on deaf ears as dignitaries continued to pile on, and Messi was virtually camouflaged amid a swarm of bodyguards and officials.

Vandalism at Salt Lake’s Yuva Bharati Krirangan

Following Lionel Messi’s early departure, massive protests erupted at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium). Widespread vandalism occurred inside the stadium. Protesters set fire to sofas inside the premises. Police promptly intervened and extinguished the fire.

“Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi,” a fan told ANI. Why did they call us then? We have got a ticket for 12,000 rupees, but we were not even able to see his face.”

Frustrated fans, many having paid over Rs 16,000 for tickets, ripped out stadium seats and threw water bottles onto the track. Many others stormed the pitch and vandalised banners and tents. Amid the chaos, sports entrepreneur Satadru Dutta has come under spotlight. In the past, Dutta has played a crucial role in bringing football icons Pele and Diego Maradona to India.

Satadru Dutta, the main organiser of Lionel Messi’s GOAT tour event, was arrested following the widespread chaos and protests at the stadium. Dutta was arrested at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport on Saturday while on his way to Hyderabad, Jawed Shamim, ADG Law and Order, confirmed.

Jawed Shamim stated, “The FIR has been lodged, and the chief organiser has been arrested. They (organisers) are promising that they will return (ticket fee to fans). We will see how it can be done.”

Who is Satadru Dutta, the man who organised Messi’s GOAT India tour?

Promotional banners and posters of Messi’s “GOAT Tour” highlight that they have been organised as part of ‘A Satadru Dutta Initiative’. Hailing from Rishra in West Bengal’s Hooghly district, Satadru Dutta began his professional career in finance and investment before moving into sports promotion. Through ASDI, he has organised visits by several high-profile football figures to India.

Among his earlier projects was bringing three-time FIFA World Cup winner Pele to Kolkata in 2015, marking the Brazilian legend’s first visit to the city in 38 years. Pele attended an Indian Super League match and the Subroto Cup final during the trip.

ASDI later organised visits by Diego Maradona, Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning captain Cafu, and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, a member of the country’s 2022 World Cup-winning squad.

Messi fans in Kolkata to get money back after disappointment?

An angry fan said: “Seeing the utter chaos, the management, the authorities, it was absolutely rubbish. All the people you see here love football. We all wanted to see Messi, but it was a total scam. We want our money back… The management was so bad. It is a black day for Kolkata. Kolkata is known for football, and we love football, we love Argentina, but this experience is absolutely a scam. The ministers were there with their children, and the other people could not see anything… We are very hurt.”

Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar said “There was some kind of anger or anxiety in the fans saying that he’s not playing. ⁠The plan was that he would come here, wave, meet certain people and leave. Now the government has already constituted a committee that will look into all aspects, including whether there was any mismanagement on the organiser’s side or anything else. ⁠The organiser is giving in writing to those who are concerned that the tickets which have been sold should be refunded. Now the situation is under control. ⁠We have already detained the organiser.”

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