Post by : Bianca
Haleem
New revelations have surfaced regarding the tumultuous Lionel Messi event held in Kolkata on December 13. Main organiser Satadru Dutta provided crucial financial and operational insights into the football superstar’s visit to India.
As reported by PTI, Dutta informed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that Lionel Messi was compensated ₹89 crore for his involvement in the G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025. With an additional ₹11 crore allocated for taxes, the overall spending reached a staggering ₹100 crore.
Funding Insights
Details shared with investigators indicate that:
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30% of the total expenses were covered by sponsorships.
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An additional 30% stemmed from ticket sales.
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The remaining costs were supported by various other sources.
Countless fans purchased high-priced tickets to witness their idol at the Salt Lake Stadium.
Event Turns Chaotic
Despite meticulous arrangements, the occasion quickly unraveled. A surge of individuals rushed onto the field, enveloping Messi and causing visibility issues for fans in the stands. This resulted in frustration, with some attendees vandalising the stadium in response.
Security Breaches Uncovered
Dutta noted that initially only 150 ground passes were distributed. However, this number reportedly tripled after a “very influential person” intervened and altered the access plan. “Once that influential figure arrived, the entire programme flow was disrupted,” an SIT official cited Dutta as saying.
Authorities are investigating whether this unexpected influx of access points led to the breakdown of crowd control.
Messi's Concerns Addressed
During the inquiry, Dutta revealed that Messi's security team explicitly stated the player dislikes physical contact. Despite multiple announcements urging fans to maintain distance, the crowd did not comply. “The way Messi was overwhelmed and embraced was utterly unacceptable to him,” Dutta conveyed to the investigators.
Minister's Resignation Following Fallout
West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas, who was seen near Messi during the event, is under scrutiny for allowing friends and family onto the field. Images showing him holding Messi sparked significant backlash.
Due to the unrest, Biswas has stepped down from his position, awaiting the investigation's findings.
SIT Investigation is Active
The SIT, composed of senior IPS officers, is examining:
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Failures in security
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Unauthorized access to the ground
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The roles of organisers and officials
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Events leading to vandalism
Investigators are probing how such a vast number of people managed to enter restricted areas, raising serious concerns about event management and security protocols.
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