The main organiser of Lionel Messi’s December 13 event at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium has told the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that the Argentine football star was visibly unhappy due to repeated physical contact from people on the ground. Satadru Dutta, who was arrested in connection with the incident, said Messi had clearly conveyed through foreign security officials that he did not want to be touched or hugged during the programme.

According to sources in the SIT, Dutta stated that despite multiple public announcements requesting the crowd to maintain distance, the situation spiralled out of control. Messi was reportedly surrounded and embraced by several individuals, prompting discomfort and forcing him to leave the venue before completing his scheduled appearance. Investigators were told that such conduct was unacceptable to the World Cup-winning footballer.

The incident has also drawn political attention, with West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas seen standing close to Messi during the event. Visuals showing Biswas holding Messi while posing for photographs triggered allegations that he allowed relatives and acquaintances special access. Amid criticism, Biswas resigned from his post pending the outcome of the investigation.

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Dutta further claimed that while only 150 ground passes were initially issued, the number was tripled after the arrival of a “very influential person” who allegedly overruled established arrangements. Investigators are examining whether the sudden expansion of access directly contributed to the breakdown of crowd control and security planning at the stadium.

The organiser also disclosed financial details of Messi’s India visit, stating that the footballer was paid Rs 89 crore, with Rs 11 crore paid as tax, bringing the total expenditure to Rs 100 crore. He said 30 per cent of the funds came from sponsors and another 30 per cent from ticket sales. SIT officials have frozen over Rs 20 crore in Dutta’s bank accounts and are verifying his claims.

Thousands of fans who bought expensive tickets expressed anger after Messi became barely visible amid the chaos, with some vandalising parts of the stadium later. The West Bengal government has constituted a high-level SIT to probe vandalism, security lapses, unauthorised access, and the role of organisers and officials. The investigation is ongoing, with further questioning and document verification underway.

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