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‘I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi’: Mamata sets up inquiry committee after angry fans ransack Kolkata stadium
The inquiry committee will conduct a detailed enquiry into the Salt Lake Stadium incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future, Mamata Banerjee said.
Mamata Banerjee apologised to Lionel Messi after mismanagement and crowd trouble forced his early exit from Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)
Minutes after angry fans ransacked Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata following football superstar Lionel Messi’s brief visit to the venue on Saturday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologised to him and constituted an inquiry committee under the chairmanship of a retired judge.
“I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. I was on my way to the stadium to attend the event along with thousands of sports lovers and fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favourite footballer, Lionel Messi,” Banerjee shared on her X handle.
“I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports lovers and his fans, for the unfortunate incident,” she added.
I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium. I was on my way to the stadium to attend the event along with thousands of sports lovers and fans who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their favourite footballer, Lionel Messi.
I…
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 13, 2025
Banerjee said she would constitute an inquiry committee under the chairmanship of Justice (Retd.) Ashim Kumar Ray, with the chief secretary and the additional chief secretary, home and hill affairs department, as members. “The committee will conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future,” she said, adding, “Once again, I extend my heartfelt apologies to all sports lovers.”
The Salt Lake stadium turned into a war zone on Saturday after angry football lovers threw water bottles, uprooted chairs and tore up posters and banners during an event showcasing the Argentinian soccer superstar. Messi left the stadium amidst security concerns.
Angry fans invaded the field and even tried to set fire to the VIP seating area beside the field, leading the police to lathi-charge the crowd and deploy Rapid Action Force to control the mob.
Fans were angry that they could not see Messi properly as he was surrounded by security personnel and politicians, and left the venue in under 20 minutes.
Messi is in India as part of his three-day ‘GOAT Tour’ across Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi from December 13 to 15.
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‘Absolute lawlessness and disorder’
The incident triggered political reactions with BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar hitting out at the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government. “The failed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s rule means absolute lawlessness and disorder! Today, thousands of sports enthusiasts had gathered at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan by buying tickets to catch a glimpse of football’s prince Messi. But the administrative mismanagement reached such an extreme that he had to be forced to turn back! Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should resign at this very moment! Because the complete lack of planning in her police-administration and the responsibility for this ultimate disorder lies solely on her as the Chief Minister!” Majumdar said on X.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said on X that the spectators’ anger was justified. “Why was Messi surrounded by a crowd of hooligans? Why wasn’t Messi kept alone ahead during the stadium lap? Why were the gallery spectators deprived? Did this enhance Kolkata’s reputation? Why didn’t the incompetent organisers leave even a mark of minimal planning? Just money? Just business? Because of these organisers and some hooligans, everyone was deprived. Kolkata was shamed. The spectators’ anger is justified,” Ghosh said.
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