What began as a dream moment for football fans in Kolkata ended in chaos and police action. Authorities arrested Satadru Dutta, the main organiser of Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour, after unrest broke out at Salt Lake Stadium during the high-profile event.
Fans grew angry when they failed to get a proper view of Messi despite buying expensive tickets. Bottles and chairs were thrown. The stadium property was damaged. Police moved in to control the situation.
By evening, Kolkata Police had detained the event’s organiser and launched a formal investigation into what went wrong.
What the Police Said About the Arrest
Senior police officials confirmed the arrest and assured fans that refunds were being processed.
“Satadru Dutta, the main organiser of the programme, was already detained by the police. Money will be refunded, police ensure that… Processes are going on. Investigation going on,” Javed Shamim, ADG Law and Order, said during a press conference.
#Breaking: Main organiser of Messi event in #Kolkata, Satadru Dutta, arrested by police, says #WestBengal Police’s ADG Law & Order, Jawed Shamim. pic.twitter.com/KokdoojUV9
— Pooja Mehta (@pooja_news) December 13, 2025
Police made it clear that the organisers would be held accountable for the breakdown in crowd management.
DGP Holds Organisers Responsible
West Bengal Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar addressed the media and sent a strong message.
He stated that the responsibility for the chaos rested entirely with the event management. He also confirmed that the organisers had been detained and would be required to submit written assurances regarding refunds.
The police leadership stressed that public safety was compromised and such lapses would not be tolerated.
Who Is Satadru Dutta?
Born in Rishra, Hooghly district, Satadru Dutta started his career in finance and investment. His passion for sports soon became his full-time profession. He has earned a reputation as one of India’s most prominent sports promoters, specialising in celebrity appearances and international sporting events.
Dutta admires Sourav Ganguly and hopes to make Kolkata and India a hub for international football culture. His initiatives combine sports, entertainment, and social impact, showing how global athletes can inspire communities.
Crowd Anger Triggered by Poor Visibility
The unrest erupted after hundreds of fans complained that Messi remained surrounded by politicians, celebrities, and officials. Many spectators said they paid between Rs 5,000 and Rs 25,000 but could not see the football legend.
A fan voiced his frustration on camera, saying, “Only leaders and actors were surrounding Messi…Why did they call us then… We have got a ticket for 12 thousand, but we were not even able to see his face…”
The anger escalated as fans pushed barricades and threw objects from the stands. One person sustained injuries during the chaos.
Police Focused on Restoring Calm First
ADG Jawed Shamim explained that crowd control was the immediate priority.
He said police worked to ensure the unrest did not spread beyond the stadium premises. Once calm returned, authorities shifted focus to reviewing the entire event structure.
Officials said more details would be shared after the investigation progressed.
Messi Leaves Kolkata, Tour Under Scrutiny
As police action unfolded, Lionel Messi left the city for Hyderabad, the next stop on his GOAT India Tour. Images showed him heading to the airport as questions mounted over the future of the tour.
The chaos in Kolkata has put the entire event under intense scrutiny. Fans are demanding accountability. Authorities are examining permissions, ticketing systems, and crowd management plans.
