Kolkata: Smoke erupts after chairs were set... ... Uppal Turns Festive as Messi Craze Sweeps Hyderabad During ‘GOAT Cup’

Kolkata: Smoke erupts after chairs were set on fire amid chaos during an event of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi as part of his 'G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025', at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK), in Kolkata, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. Fans protested after failing to catch a clear glimpse of the footballer despite paying hefty sums for tickets. - PTI

Kolkata Organiser Held in Fallout of Messi Stadium Chaos

Satadru Dutta, the primary organiser of the Kolkata leg of Lionel Messi's GOAT India Tour 2025, has been arrested by Kolkata Police following widespread fan disorder at Salt Lake Stadium. The arrest stems from an FIR alleging cheating and event failures, after thousands of enraged spectators vandalised property and demanded refunds following Messi's brief appearance and alleged mismanagement.

Investigators are currently examining ticket sales, transparency, crowd control, and the event's overall preparedness, particularly focusing on the organisers' conduct after Messi's hasty departure. Police officials noted that the organisers vanished immediately after the footballer left, abandoning security personnel to manage the irate crowd, which severely aggravated the situation and raised serious accountability issues.

The police action comes amid significant public and political outcry. West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose strongly criticised the event as a “dark day” for Kolkata's sports enthusiasts and demanded immediate arrests, compensation, and full refunds.

Authorities have confirmed that refunds are being processed. The ongoing investigation aims to hold organisers and negligent officials accountable for both the event lapses and the resulting violence and damage.