Messi Mess
'You put me in jail...now it's my turn': Satadru Dutta breaks silence on Messi Kolkata event chaos
Kolkata/IBNS: After the fall of the Mamata government in West Bengal, sports promoter Satadru Dutta has spoken publicly for the first time about the disruption during Lionel Messi’s India tour event in Kolkata, alleging serious mismanagement and interference at the venue.
The December 13, 2025, event at Salt Lake Stadium was billed as a rare opportunity for fans to see Messi live.
The visit formed part of the “GOAT Tour of India 2025”, which attracted large crowds and high-priced ticket sales.
Dutta, who has previously facilitated visits by global football icons, said the event quickly descended into disorder shortly after it began.
Event disrupted within minutes
Messi, accompanied by Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, arrived at the stadium amid heavy anticipation.
However, the situation reportedly deteriorated within 25 minutes of the scheduled one-hour programme.
According to accounts, the Argentine star appeared dissatisfied with the arrangements.
The event ended abruptly, triggering unrest among spectators, some of whom reportedly damaged stadium property following the early exit.
Allegations of interference
Dutta has raised concerns over alleged unauthorised access and interference during the event.
Without directly naming individuals in all statements, he indicated that influential figures and their associates entered restricted areas, contributing to the disruption.
He also claimed that repeated requests to maintain order and avoid overcrowding near the players were not followed.
The situation, he said, escalated beyond control despite efforts to manage the crowd.
Detention and aftermath
Hours after the incident, Dutta was detained at Kolkata airport while reportedly travelling to another event location.
He spent more than a month in custody before being granted interim bail by a Bidhannagar court on January 19.
The incident led to multiple cases being registered in connection with the stadium disorder.
Social media posts and legal warning
Following political developments in West Bengal, Dutta issued a series of statements on social media outlining his version of events.
He alleged that the incident had undermined years of preparation and caused reputational damage.
In his posts, Dutta warned of legal action, stating that he intends to pursue defamation and compensation claims.
He also indicated plans to escalate the matter to higher courts if required.
'Press conference soon'
Dutta has announced that he will hold a press conference soon to present further details about the planning and execution of the event.
He stated that the briefing would include disclosures about the circumstances leading up to the disruption and the actions taken on the day.
The controversy has triggered political exchanges, with reactions emerging from multiple quarters.
Members of the All India Trinamool Congress and opposition figures have responded to the allegations and the viral footage related to the incident.
Former cricketer Manoj Tiwary also commented on the developments, criticising the handling of sports-related affairs during the period.
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