December 15, 2025
NEW DELHI – A West Bengal court on Sunday sent Satadru Dutta, the promoter and organiser of footballer Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour 2025, to 14-day police custody.
Dutta, who was arrested by the Kolkata Police following the chaos at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday, was produced before the Bidhannagar Court on Sunday.
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During the highly-anticipated event at Salt Lake Stadium, fans turned violent and threw bottles and chairs after the Argentine legend left early.
The fans alleged that despite paying upto Rs 20,000 ticket prices, they could not take a glimpse of the footballer. They also slammed the VIPs, including politicians, for hogging all the attention and time of the football icon.
Following the incident, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee apologised to the people and formed a high-level inquiry committee to probe the incident.
Chaos in Kolkata, joy in Hyderabad
While Messi’s Kolkata leg of the tour descended into chaos, the footballer had a highly successful and fun outing in Telangana’s Hyderabad.
He received a grand reception from Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.
Messi took part in a 7-on-7 exhibition football match involving the state’s Chief Minister, Revanth Reddy. Messi also presented Rahul with his iconic number 10 jersey.
On Sunday, Messi will be in Mumbai as part of his 4-city Goat India Tour. Delhi will be his final stop for the ‘GOAT Tour 2025’ on Monday.