'Mail received from Messi's office': Dilip Ghosh says event row brought 'defame to Bengal'

Newtown (West Bengal): West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh on Thursday termed the controversy surrounding Argentine football icon Lionel Messi’s 2025 event in Kolkata as “unfortunate”, saying the episode had tarnished the state’s image and disappointed thousands of football fans.

Speaking to reporters, Ghosh said, “The incident involving Lionel Messi is unfortunate. Here, football is king, and Lionel Messi is a matter of pride for people across the world. The way the event was handled, and the manner in which crores of rupees were collected from people, left many fans without an opportunity to see him. This incident has brought defame to Bengal. An inquiry is underway. A mail has been received from Messi’s office stating that he was not involved in the matter in any way. An agreement had been made with him…”

His remarks came as former West Bengal sports minister and senior Trinamool Congress leader Aroop Biswas appeared before the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate in connection with the investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding the high-profile event held at Salt Lake Stadium on December 13, 2025.

Biswas reached the commissionerate headquarters at around 9.55 am after skipping three previous summonses issued by investigators.

The case originated from a complaint filed by event organiser Shatadru Dutta, who accused Biswas of ticket black-marketing, extortion, cheating and criminal intimidation linked to the programme featuring Messi.

The event had ended in controversy after sections of spectators allegedly vandalised parts of the stadium, claiming they were unable to get a glimpse of the World Cup-winning footballer despite paying thousands of rupees for tickets. Fans alleged that influential individuals crowded around Messi on the ground, preventing many ticket holders from seeing him.

Biswas has repeatedly denied the allegations and maintained that he had no involvement in the financial management of the event.

The Calcutta High Court had earlier granted him conditional protection from coercive action while directing him to cooperate with the investigation.

On June 5, the former minister sought two weeks’ time from police to appear before investigators, citing health-related reasons.

Meanwhile, the organiser of Messi’s India tour claimed on Wednesday that the football legend’s communication team had written to the police and held Biswas responsible for the controversy surrounding the event.

According to the organiser, the communication also cleared Dutta of allegations of mismanagement, charges that had earlier led to his arrest and imprisonment during the previous Trinamool Congress administration.

The Bidhannagar Police, however, have not officially commented on the reported communication from Messi’s representatives as the investigation continues.