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Suvendu Adhikari pledges refunds for Messi event chaos in West Bengal. Fans paid Rs 4000-6000 but could not see the football legend.
Fans alleged that the football icon was surrounded by officials, politicians and heavy security, leaving thousands of spectators in the stands unable to get a clear view of Messi. The limited access and lack of engagement left fans deeply disappointed, which soon turned into anger, with some fans throwing bottles and plastic chairs onto the field, damaging stadium property and attempting to breach security barriers. (Image: PTI)
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has said that fans had purchased tickets costing Rs 4000 and Rs 6000 to get a glimpse of Argentine football legend but were unable to do so due to some on-field problems, and hence, their refunds will be processed, according to a report in India Today.
Messi visited the Yuva Bharati Stadium on Saturday, December 13, but the event descended into chaos. The disorder was attributed to the excessive hobnobbing by Aroop Biswas, the Sports Minister in the Trinamool Congress government.
Spectators who had paid Rs 4,000 and Rs 6,000 for tickets demanded refunds, but their calls have yet to be addressed.
“Messi has a huge fan base. They had purchased tickets costing Rs 4,000 and Rs 6,000. It’s my wish to ensure that the money paid by these 33,000 sports enthusiasts is refunded,” Adhikari said while speaking on National Sports Day.
“I have already initiated the process internally. I hope to be able to accomplish this,” Adhikari added.
The event, held on August 29, was attended by former hockey player Gurbux Singh, Sports Minister Indranil Khan, AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey and multiple other dignitaries.
The occasion also saw accomplished athletes being felicitated and presented with appointment letters.
“You would be surprised to know that the paperwork for many of the athletes who received appointment letters today had been gathering dust in the Chief Minister’s office for 11 years,” Adhikari said.
“In recent years, West Bengal’s representation in the Olympics, the Asian Games, or national teams has been virtually non-existent, whereas states like Odisha and Jharkhand send representatives,” Adhikari added.
Messi’s G.O.A.T. India Tour event at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on December 13, 2025, descended into chaos and vandalism. Thousands of fans who had paid up to Rs 10,000 or more were left enraged after officials and celebrities crowded the pitchside area, obstructing their view of the football superstar and prompting his abrupt departure after around 20 minutes.
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Ask News18West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has pledged that efforts are underway to refund the money to all 33,000 fans who were affected by the Messi event fiasco. The state government is internally discussing and pursuing legal processes to ensure these refunds.
Ask News18August 30, 2026, 08:57 IST
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