Lionel Messi’s ‘GOAT India Tour’ visit to Kolkata last year had spiralled from a grand celebration into an aggressive stadium riot due to rampant VIP mismanagement and severe security breaches.
Football legend Lionel Messi’s office has written to Kolkata Police, saying the promoter of his Kolkata event last year was not responsible for the chaos that disrupted the programme at Salt Lake Stadium and instead attributing the breakdown to alleged breaches of protocol and security arrangements by former West Bengal sports minister Aroop Biswas and others.
According to an email dated June 17, sent by Messi’s office and shared by promoter Satadru Dutta, the decision to cut short the programme was beyond the organiser’s control.
“In my opinion, the unfortunate decision to have to terminate the event early was not in the control of the event promoter, Mr Satadru Dutta, and he was not responsible for this. Rather, it was a precautionary measure necessitated by the breach of event protocol and security arrangements on the ground by parties that were not part of the original event plan,” the letter said.
Messi’s much-publicised ‘GOAT India Tour’ stop in Kolkata in December 2025 descended into chaos amid allegations of mismanagement and serious security lapses. What was billed as an hour-long appearance ended after barely 20 minutes when Biswas and several political leaders allegedly entered the pitch to take selfies and interact with the Argentine star. Disappointed fans, many of whom had paid premium ticket prices, later vandalised parts of the stadium following Messi’s departure.
The letter alleged that pre-approved arrangements for Messi’s appearance were violated. It said the agreed protocol stipulated that no dignitaries would be present on the field and that only three camera operators would be allowed. However, it claimed that the then sports minister entered the field and participated in activities that were not part of the scheduled programme.
“During Mr Messi’s appearance at the stadium, the approved protocol of there being no dignitaries on the field and (permission of) only three camera operators was disrupted when the then sports minister entered the field of play and became involved in activities that were not part of the scheduled programme,” it said.
The communication further alleged that several unauthorised individuals, along with around 40 unaccredited photographers and camera operators, gained access to restricted areas, disrupting planned activities and raising concerns over Messi’s security, comfort and personal space.
“These actions, together with the presence of several other unauthorised individuals and approximately 40 unaccredited photographers and camera operators in restricted areas, disrupted the agreed events planned for the visit and created concerns regarding Mr. Messi’s security, comfort, and personal space and made it impossible for him to interact with the events and individuals planned on the stadium field,” the letter added.
It further said Messi’s early departure from the venue was “purely a consequence of unauthorised personnel becoming involved on the field and trying to alter the agreed plans, plus the unsecure nature of the many unaccredited people on the field.”
