The main organiser hosting renowned footballer Lionel Messi in Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday (December 13, 2025), Shatadru Dutta, has been detained after violence erupted among fans during the event, Director General of West Bengal Police Rajeev Kumar said.
“We will take action against the mismanagement we have seen from the organisers’ side, with their security team and press team running around. We already detained the organiser,” Mr Kumar said on Saturday (December 13, 2025).
Messi in Kolkata: Upset fans vandalise Salt Lake stadium; organiser detained; CM orders enquiry
During the event, angry football fans who had bought tickets to catch a glimpse of Messi in the Kolkata leg of his G.O.A.T India tour turned violent after their view of the footballer was completely blocked by a crowd of around 70 to 80 politicians and celebrities allegedly surrounding Messi till his departure from the venue.
“We have already told the organiser, he is giving in writing that the tickets which have been sold should be refunded… A lot of fans must have felt that they would see Messi playing, but couldn’t. We expect that the organisers will come through as far as the refund of the ticket is concerned. We will make sure legal action is taken,” Mr. Kumar said.
