Former Indian cricket captain and current president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), Sourav Ganguly, has initiated a major legal battle. He has filed a defamation lawsuit seeking a staggering Rs 50 crore in damages from Uttam Saha, the president of the Argentina Fan Club in Kolkata.
Baseless Allegations Spark Legal Firestorm
The legal action stems from public comments made by Saha in the aftermath of the chaotic event at Yuva Bharati Stadium on Saturday, December 13. The event, featuring global football icon Lionel Messi, descended into disorder, leaving fans furious. Saha allegedly linked Ganguly to the controversy, suggesting he played a role in the event's management.
Ganguly, in his complaint filed at Lalbazar, has categorically denied these claims. He stated that the accusations are "false, malicious, offensive and defamatory" and were made with full knowledge of the harm they could inflict on his reputation. He emphasized that he had no official role in organising or managing the Messi event. His presence, he clarified, was strictly as an invited guest.
Fallout from a Chaotic Football Spectacle
The Messi event was heavily criticised for poor planning and crowd control. Fans who paid high ticket prices were left disappointed as the situation spiralled out of control. Videos showed limited fan interaction with Messi, while officials and VIPs occupied the field, fuelling public anger.
Following the chaos, the main event organiser, Satadru Dutta, was detained for questioning by the authorities. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a public apology on social media platform X, expressing regret to Lionel Messi and the fans of Kolkata for the mismanagement.
Ganguly, who was present in a separate area of the stadium, was seen leaving the venue visibly disappointed as the situation deteriorated in the stands.
Legal Notice Demands Retraction and Compensation
Ganguly's legal complaint specifically challenges Saha's claim that he acted as a middleman for the event's management, which was overseen by Satadru Dutta. "Serious allegations are being made publicly without any factual basis," Ganguly stated in his filing.
His legal representatives have issued a formal notice to Uttam Saha. The notice demands a public retraction of the statements and seeks compensation for the alleged damage caused to Ganguly's public image. This lawsuit adds a significant legal dimension to the ongoing fallout from the ill-fated sporting spectacle, which drew national and international attention to organisational shortcomings.
The incident has also reignited debates about VIP culture at major sports events in India, where ordinary fans often feel sidelined.
