Chaos Erupts at Messi's Kolkata Event Amid Security Concerns

Lionel Messi's recent event in Kolkata turned chaotic as fans reacted violently after his abrupt departure. Organizer Satadru Dutta claims he was unfairly blamed for the turmoil, citing mismanagement and political interference. He revealed that only a select few were meant to be close to Messi, yet a crowd of unauthorized individuals disrupted the event. Dutta also accused Sports Minister Aroop Biswas of inappropriate behavior and pressuring him for extra access. This incident raises serious questions about the event's security and management, highlighting the challenges faced in organizing high-profile sports events.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 10, 2026, 11:11 IST

Messi's Kolkata Visit Turns Chaotic

The much-anticipated event featuring Lionel Messi at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata descended into turmoil as frustrated fans reacted violently after the football icon left unexpectedly. This occasion was meant to be a memorable one for a city passionate about football, but it was marred by accusations of poor management, political meddling, and significant security failures. Satadru Dutta, the event organizer who spent 38 days in police custody, has spoken out about the incident, claiming he was unfairly blamed while pointing fingers at various administrative and political entities for the disorder.

In a conversation with a local media outlet, Dutta stated that he adhered to all necessary protocols for the event, attributing the chaos to administrative shortcomings. He explained, "This was classified as a Z and Z-plus category event, and the Home Ministry had issued directives for security measures to the state government. Interestingly, the Chief Minister, who was the chief guest, also had Z-plus security. I secured all necessary approvals regarding safety, licensing, and permissions, and conducted numerous meetings with police officials. From my perspective, all protocols were followed, but I was merely the organizer, not a law enforcement officer. The enforcement of Z and Z-plus security is the responsibility of the administration and police department."

Controversial Interactions with Messi

'Sports Minister's Inappropriate Actions' - Satadru Dutta

Dutta revealed that only a select few were permitted close to Messi, yet he noticed a crowd of 100-200 unauthorized individuals present. He recounted an incident where Sports Minister Aroop Biswas entered the venue and inappropriately touched Messi, causing distress to the player and his entourage. "Upon entering with Messi, I immediately observed numerous individuals who were not authorized to be there. According to the agreed-upon flow of the event, only a limited number of people were supposed to be near Messi, including young footballers for handshakes and notable figures like Mamata Banerjee and Shah Rukh Khan. However, I found a significant number of unauthorized individuals surrounding Messi, taking photos. I alerted the police chief about their presence. The sports minister then entered and touched Messi inappropriately while posing for pictures, which was unacceptable. Messi's manager expressed concern about the unauthorized individuals' presence," he stated.

Accusations of Pressure and Mismanagement

Demand for Additional Access and Accreditation

Dutta also disclosed that Sports Minister Aroop Biswas exerted pressure on him for extra access and accreditation cards, claiming that his team was held hostage for an hour until they complied. "The minister pressured me for additional access cards, which I ultimately refused. I was warned that the event could face issues if I didn’t cooperate. My accreditation team was reportedly confined for nearly an hour, being told they wouldn’t be allowed to leave unless I approved more cards. We had issued 393 accreditation cards, all with designated zones approved by security authorities. I, as the promoter, wore an accreditation card, yet those who entered the venue lacked any. How did the police allow this? If I was incapable, how did the same team manage events in Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi without incident?" he questioned.