“He gave me an autograph on my jersey on the left sleeve. I even touched his left foot after asking him. I also took Suarez(Luis) and De Paul’s (Rodrigo) autographs," said former Indian footballer Dipendu Biswas who was at the stadium on Saturday (December 13).
"After that, they went from the lineup to the other side towards gate number 1 and he said he would shoot a penalty, so I stood near the penalty box, me and the goal keeper and one more person. He left after sometime.”
Irate fans vandalised Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata as they were unable to see global football icon, Lionel Messi who left in just 15 minutes. Messi was initially scheduled to take a lap of the stadium and was slated to stay for two hours at the venue.
VIPs, including ministers and bureaucrats, and their families surrounded Messi, leaving no glimpse for football fans who had paid Rs 5000-25,000 for a ticket. This has resulted in estimated losses of Rs 2.50 crore at government-run stadium.
“Things could have been handled in a better way. He is the biggest icon in world football. Definitely, there should have been better planning, it is very sad because we don’t know the future for Indian football," said former Indian footballer Alvito D’Cunha.
“Secondly, this incident puts a bad remark on Indian football and Kolkata football as well. Hopefully, we are not going to see such incidents happening in future. We don't know if at all, there are going to be such matches held in Kolkata. I am hearing that for some years, international matches might be banned, but hopefully we will try to see this doesn’t happen because we all know Bengal, Kolkata, is the Mecca of Indian football and they expect big gains because of the crowd support we have.”
Messi’s first visit to India was in Kolkata back in September 2011, to captain his national team in a friendly match against Venezuela at the same venue. That match went well and spectators were ecstatic to watch the global icon play in the City of Joy. This paved the way for Brazilian footballer Pele to visit Kolkata in 2015 and Diego Maradona’s visit in 2017.
Incidentally, it was the same organizer Shatadru Dutta who brought both these players to Kolkata and this year, he was hoping to place a jewel in his crown by bringing Messi. Meanwhile, Dutta has been arrested and remanded in 14-days police custody. Others involved in the event management company have been summoned for questioning by police.
“When Pele had come, he played for 90 minutes along with other stalwarts in the world, all World Cup winners. We were so happy and won 2-1," said footballer Gautam Sarkar who has played international matches.
"Before Calcutta, he had been to Japan, China and Korea. He won in three places, but he did not win against us. There was no trouble and people inside and outside the stadium were not unhappy.”
“The organisers and those who allowed the event to take place should look into the incident. Whose are the VIPs? People who were on field to see Messi kick the ball and take a round of the stadium. The public were unable to see this and were unhappy. Their only desire was to see Messi properly and to see Messi surrounded on the field was unfortunate.”
“It is disappointing for fans because before when Maradona and Pele had come, the first took a round of the stadium and there was a game even them and I played. The game did not stop. When they entered, we stopped, and then again resumed while they sat and watched, and Maradona and Pele shook hands with everyone.”
Biswas also explained the earlier times versus what happened on Saturday. The veteran footballer was present during the Argentine legend's previous visit to India in 2011 and observed a huge difference in the logistical planning of the two events.
“I was present for the 2011 Messi match, when they played against Venezuela. Maradona, Ronaldino had come later too. But never such a thing had happened, so we don’t know why exactly this has happened. I’m surely hoping in future, these things don’t happen,” added D’Cunha.
What is the way forward is the big question, even as a high-level enquiry committee has been formed by the West Bengal government. The agenda is to access the damage and what led to it, to find out who were the people responsible for this embarrassment.
“People were unhappy. It was a disaster in this match. I don’t know who is at fault, whether it was the organiser or the government. But those who paid thousands of rupees to come see Messi, they will be upset, but it is unfortunate that they ransacked the stadium. They were frustrated and angry. They were given a lot of promises and got nothing. They were deprived from certain events.” added Sarkar.
“I am feeling bad that three other cities went well, but not Kolkata. Seeing us, the other cities were on guard with security.” Added Biswas.
“If there is an option to tour in four places, people would definitely choose somewhere else. However, Kolkata needs to organise some big event and try to give assurance to the people that it was just bad fate that spoilt everything. But then, this cannot be repeated time and again. Kolkata has to do something big in terms of football or cricket to show people that it was just one nightmare which happened, and it cannot go on and on.” Suggested D’Cunha.
While the Messi mess on Saturday started a political blame game, 3 Public Interest Litigations(PIL) were filed in Calcutta High Court on Monday (December 15) on the issue, including one by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari. The ruling Trinamool Congress(TMC) is left red-faced after the disaster. Fingers are pointing at the ministers in the ruling party and the VIP proximity, who spoilt Saturday’s event and Kolkata’s chances of hosting a big sporting event of this magnitude for a long time.