The controversy surrounding Lionel Messi’s Kolkata event has returned to focus after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced a proposed refund for around 33,000 spectators. The government says an internal process has begun and that refunds will be funded through the state’s sports budget. Fans had complained about overcrowding, disorder and event-management issues at Salt Lake Stadium. However, authorities have not yet disclosed the detailed eligibility criteria, claim process or payment timeline, leaving key questions about how the proposed reimbursement will be implemented.
Lionel Messi Kolkata Event Fans to Get Refund as Suvendu Adhikari Announces Relief for 33,000 Spectators
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari says an internal process has been started to refund money to about 33,000 spectators affected by the controversial Lionel Messi event at Salt Lake Stadium.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that the ticket money of about 33,000 football fans affected by the Kolkata event of Lionel Messi would be refunded.
The announcement comes after months of outrage over the December 13, 2025 event at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, popularly known as Salt Lake Stadium, where fans complained of serious chaos.
Fans had paid Rs 4,000 and Rs 6,000 for the ticket prices, while another report said tickets were sold for Rs 8,000, and many demanded refunds after the event.
We have already started an internal process, Adhikari said. We will use the state's sports budget to provide refunds to around 33,000 sports fans.
The chief minister announced Nabanna while attending a National Sports Day program celebrating the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.
Adhikari said of the proposed reimbursement: Lionel Messi had a huge fan base, and the priority was to ensure the affected supporters got their money back.
The process is being dealt with internally, he said, but no detailed mechanism, verification procedure or specific timeline for payments has been made public so far.
Lionel Messi Event Controversy Returns to Focus
The event was part of Messi’s visit to India and was meant to give the Kolkata supporters a chance to get a glimpse of the Argentine football star during his appearance at the stadium.
Instead, the program was marred by controversy over allegations of overcrowding, poor administration and too much official interference, with many spectators angry at their experience.
Reports also linked the disorder to the role of Aroop Biswas, then described as the Sports Minister of the Trinamool Congress government, though responsibility is contested.
The controversy heightened with Messi on the field for a short while, and some reports spoke of spectators getting angry, with some vandalism and disruption inside the stadium premises.
The proposed refunds are therefore a significant response to a public grievance, but the government has not yet clarified how exactly eligible ticket holders will submit claims.
The National Sports Day program was attended by prominent sporting personalities like former hockey player Gurbux Singh, Sports Minister Indranil Khan and All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey.
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West Bengal Sports Budget and Stadium Plans
Adhikari also took the opportunity to criticize the previous administration’s handling of sports and said political interference had hurt sports bodies and athlete development.
Reports from the event said paperwork for several athletes receiving appointment letters had been pending for 11 years in the chief minister's office.
Adhikari also spoke about the plans for the development of sports in West Bengal. He announced an allocation of Rs 400 crore for the sector, but for eight months and not a full year.
The government will set up mini indoor stadiums with facilities like tennis courts, badminton courts and gymnasiums across all the 294 Assembly constituencies, initially rolling out 100 stadiums.
The previous government had let the sporting infrastructure go to seed. We want to build systems that will be able to support the athletes better, said Adhikari.
The refund proposal is the latest twist in a controversy combining event management, public accountability, sports administration and expectations surrounding major international sporting personalities, for Sprouts News.
The next phase will depend on how authorities decide on eligibility, communicate the refund process and make payments, with affected fans still waiting for concrete details after Adhikari’s announcement.
