Organiser Reveals Lionel Messi's Rs 89 Crore Earnings from India Tour Amid Probe

Lionel Messi’s high-profile visit to India on December 13 reportedly cost Rs 100 crore, according to Satadru Dutta, the main organiser now in custody. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the event revealed that Messi was paid Rs 89 crore, with Rs 11 crore going toward taxes, and that 30% of the funds were raised through ticket sales while another 30% came from sponsors.

Dutta told investigators that Messi was uncomfortable with fans touching or hugging him, a concern reportedly communicated by his foreign security team. Despite repeated announcements urging crowd restraint, fans swarmed the Argentine star at Salt Lake Stadium, forcing him to cut short his appearance. Visuals showed West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas in close proximity to Messi during the event.

The SIT is investigating lapses in crowd control and access management, noting that only 150 ground passes were initially issued. Dutta claimed the number of passes was later tripled when an influential individual arrived, disrupting the event’s planned flow and contributing to chaos on the field. Thousands of spectators struggled to see Messi, and parts of the stadium were vandalised in the aftermath.

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West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas resigned amid criticism over his conduct and alleged preferential access for relatives and acquaintances of VIPs. Authorities are examining whether his involvement compromised security protocols and contributed to the breakdown in crowd management.

Investigators also froze over Rs 20 crore in Dutta’s accounts, reportedly sourced from ticket sales and sponsorships. SIT officials are verifying these claims and have seized several documents from Dutta’s residence as part of the ongoing investigation.

The SIT, led by senior IPS officers Piyush Pandey, Javed Shamim, Supratim Sarkar, and Muralidhar, continues to probe financial irregularities, organisational lapses, and security failures at the Messi event. The findings are expected to shape stricter protocols for future celebrity appearances in India.

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