The financial scale and subsequent chaos surrounding Lionel Messi's recent visit to India have been laid bare by investigators. The main organiser, Satadru Dutta, who was arrested following a major disruption at a Kolkata event, has revealed staggering financial details during questioning by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Staggering Financial Details Uncovered
During a prolonged interrogation, Satadru Dutta disclosed that global football icon Lionel Messi was paid a fee of ₹89 crore for his participation in the 'G.O.A.T. India Tour'. Dutta further claimed that the total expenditure for the tour amounted to a colossal ₹100 crore. He explained that out of this total, ₹11 crore was paid as tax to the Indian government.
Dutta broke down the revenue sources for the organisers. According to his statement, 30 percent of the funds were sourced from sponsors, while another 30 percent was generated through ticket sales. The remaining financial arrangements are under scrutiny by the SIT.
The investigation took a significant turn when officers discovered and froze bank accounts belonging to Dutta containing over ₹20 crore. Dutta asserted that this money came from ticket sales for the Messi events in Kolkata and Hyderabad, as well as from sponsors. SIT officers confirmed they are in the process of verifying these claims.
Chaos at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium
The financial revelations come in the wake of major disorder at the tour's opening leg. On December 13, thousands of fans who had purchased high-priced tickets flocked to Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium to see Lionel Messi. However, the event descended into chaos when a large crowd surged onto the field, surrounding Messi and making him nearly invisible to spectators in the galleries.
This triggered widespread anger among fans. The frustration over poor event management and perceptions that VIPs and politicians monopolised Messi's time boiled over. Infuriated fans resorted to vandalising parts of the stadium. The situation escalated further when some attempted to enter the ground to damage the tent and goalposts. Police personnel had to use mild force to disperse the angry crowd and restore order.
Arrest and Ongoing SIT Probe
In response to the incident, the West Bengal government formed a high-powered Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising senior IPS officers Piyush Pandey, Javed Shamim, Supratim Sarkar, and Muralidhar. The SIT's mandate is to investigate the vandalism, security lapses, access violations, and the roles of organisers and officials.
Less than a few hours after the chaos, Satadru Dutta, identified as the sole organiser of the programme, was arrested at the airport while attempting to leave for the Hyderabad leg of the tour. On December 14, a court sent him to 14 days of police custody. The financial details emerged after SIT sleuths conducted raids at Dutta's residence on a Friday, seizing several relevant documents.
Who is Satadru Dutta?
Satadru Dutta is a Kolkata-based sports organiser with a reputation for bringing international football stars to India. A commerce graduate, he began his career in finance before founding 'A Satadru Dutta Initiative' in 2011, a platform focusing on sports promotion, celebrity management, and social causes. Over the years, he has been instrumental in organising visits for football legends like Ronaldinho, Cafu, Diego Maradona, and Emiliano Martínez to the country.
The SIT's investigation continues, focusing on verifying the financial trail and determining accountability for the security and management failures that turned a much-anticipated sporting spectacle into a scene of public disorder.
