Mamata Banerjee after chaos at Kolkata stadium as 'Sincerely apologise to Messi and his fans'

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday ordered a highlevel enquiry after chaos erupted during football icon Lionel Messis appearance at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata expressing regret over the mismanagement and apologising to the Argentine legend his fans and sports loversThe Chief Ministers remarks came after disgruntled fans upset over poor crowd management and Messis brief appearance at the venue allegedly vandalised parts of the stadiumThe incident prompted the state government to announce the constitution of an enquiry committee to fix responsibility and recommend corrective measures to prevent such incidents in the futureIn a post on social media platform X Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said she was deeply disturbed by the events that unfolded at the stadium 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 the Chief Minister said in her postI 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 MessiIhellipmdash Mamata Banerjee MamataOfficial December 13 2025I sincerely apologise to Lionel Messi as well as to all sports lovers and his fans for the unfortunate incident I am constituting an enquiry 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 she addedThe Chief Minister further stated that the committee would conduct a detailed probe into the incident The committee will conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident fix responsibility and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future Once again I extend my heartfelt apologies to all sports lovers Banerjee saidFollowing this several frustrated fans criticised ministers and politicians for monopolising Messis time and failing to deliver promised attractions such as actor Shah Rukh KhanSpeaking to ANI angry fans accused the Ministers and politicians of hogging Messis time and failing to deliver on promises such as securing Cine Star Shah Rukh Khan for the eventAbsolutely terrible event He came for just 10 minutes All the leaders and ministers surrounded him We couldnt see anything He didnt take a single kick or a single penalty They said they would bring Shah Rukh Khan too They didnt bring anyone He came for 10 minutes and left So much money emotions and time wasted We couldnt see anything said one fanWe are very disappointed My child was very excited to see Messi I think its a scam for the people When Messi arrived everyone surrounded him another fan told ANIOne angry fan claimed that he had bought a ticket for Rs 12 thousand but didnt see Lionel Messis face during the eventOnly leaders and actors were surrounding MessiWhy did they call us then We have got a ticket for 12 thousand but we were not even able to see his face he saidA fan of star footballer Lionel Messi said Absolutely terrible event He came for just 10 minutes All the leaders and ministers surrounded him We couldnt see anything He didnt take a single kick or a single penalty They said they would bring Shah Rukh Khan too They didnt bring anyone He came for 10 minutes and left So much money emotions and time wasted We couldnt see anythingEarlier Messi virtually inaugurated a 70foottall statue of himself at Lake Town in Kolkata on Saturday along with West Bengal Minister and Sree Bhumi Sporting Club President Sujit BoseThe Argentine football legend arrived in the City of Joy early on Saturday morning to an overwhelming reception from fans Enthusiastic supporters gathered in large numbers across key locations in Kolkata eager to catch a glimpse of the global football icon reflecting the immense popularity Messi enjoys in the country particularly in West BengalDemonstrating its admiration for Lionel Messi the Sree Bhumi Sporting Club has completed construction of a massive 70foot iron statue in Lake Town South Dum Dum KolkataThe statue depicts Messi holding the FIFA World Cup trophy symbolising his historic triumph with Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar The statue will be virtually unveiled by Messi himself making the occasion even more special for fans