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A fan takes a selfie with Inter Miami's Argentine forward #10 Lionel Messi (L) at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on December 13, 2025. Thousands of fans packed into a stadium in eastern India on December 13 to cheer on Lionel Messi as the football legend unveiled a 21-metre (70-foot) statue of himself.- AFP

Mamata Banerjee Apologises to Messi, Orders High-Level Probe After Salt Lake Stadium Chaos

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has publicly apologised to football icon Lionel Messi and his fans following reports of chaos and poor organisation during the star's brief visit to Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.

Expressing her deep distress and shock over the events, Banerjee used a post on X to convey her regret, acknowledging that thousands of fans had gathered simply to catch a glimpse of their hero. She specifically apologised to Messi and all affected sports enthusiasts, labelling the incident as "unfortunate." The Chief Minister noted the mismanagement occurred while she was en route to the event.

To address the situation, Banerjee announced the formation of a high-level inquiry committee. This committee will be chaired by retired Justice Ashim Kumar Ray, with the Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary (Home and Hill Affairs) serving as members. Its mandate is to investigate the incident, establish accountability, and propose preventative measures.

She concluded by offering "heartfelt apologies" to the entire sporting community, with the stated aim of rebuilding confidence among fans and international personalities.