Bengal Sports Minister Offers to Quit Over Messi Kolkata Chaos
Bengal Sports Minister Offers to Quit Over Messi Kolkata Chaos
Messi's GOAT India tour in Kolkata turned chaotic as fans clashed with security; leaders ordered a high-level inquiry, organizer arrested, and officials vowed accountability.
West Bengal's sports minister Aroop Biswas wrote to chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday, offering to resign after chaos erupted during Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour in Kolkata. At Salt Lake Stadium, crowds struggled to catch a glimpse of the football icon, with reports of bottles and chairs being thrown as VIPs appeared to obstruct views and security procedures were questioned. Messi finally decided to leave the stadium early, citing concerns over mismanagement.
In response, Mamata Banerjee ordered a high-level inquiry committee to probe the incident. The tour’s main organiser, Satadru Datta, was arrested the same day. The chief secretary issued a show-cause notice to the DGP Rajeev Kumar and the Bidhannagar police chief over the alleged mismanagement at the stadium.
The inquiry is believed to have found serious SOP violations, including questions about approving water bottles into the venue. Five people were later arrested and charged under sections including assaulting a police official, damaging public property, and joint criminal liability, with provisions of the MPO Act and PDPP Act.
As fans, many of whom had paid thousands for tickets, watched Messi leave early, officials promised a transparent investigation and accountability, signaling a potential reshuffle of sports administration in the state.
