Kolkata (West Bengal)
West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas on Saturday said that a formal investigation has been ordered into the chaos that erupted during Argentine football icon Lionel Messi’s GOAT Tour event at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium. Declining to comment further, the minister said the matter is currently under official scrutiny.
“The government has ordered an investigation into the incident. Since the probe is underway, I will not comment on the issue at this stage,” Biswas told reporters, responding to questions on the disruption that marred the high-profile event.
The Kolkata leg of Messi’s much-anticipated GOAT Tour witnessed disorder on Saturday after fans grew restless and angry when the football legend reportedly left the stadium much earlier than scheduled. Thousands of supporters had gathered at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, many of whom had paid significant amounts in the hope of catching a glimpse of the global football star.
As disappointment spread through the crowd, tensions escalated. Several spectators were seen throwing water bottles and chairs from the stands, while some members of the crowd reportedly entered the field and attempted to damage temporary structures, including tents and goalposts. With the situation spiralling out of control, police personnel stepped in and used mild force to disperse the crowd and restore order.
Following the incident, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) issued a clarification distancing itself from the event. In a statement shared on social media, the federation expressed concern over the developments at the stadium but stressed that the programme was not organised under its supervision.
“The All India Football Federation is deeply concerned by the events that unfolded at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, where thousands of fans gathered to witness world football stars Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul,” the statement said.
The AIFF clarified that the Kolkata event was a private function organised by a PR agency and that the federation had no role in its planning, execution or management. It further stated that no prior information or clearance had been sought from the AIFF for the event.
Emphasising public safety, the federation urged attendees to cooperate with authorities and maintain calm, noting that the security and well-being of all individuals must remain the top priority.
Meanwhile, state authorities continue to assess the circumstances that led to the unrest, as questions remain over crowd management, communication with fans and event coordination.
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