Satadru Dutta Reflects on Messi's Kolkata Fiasco and Its Fallout
‘I regret bringing Messi to Kolkata. What if something happened to him?’ Satadru Dutta opens up on Salt Lake fiasco
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Satadru Dutta, the sports organizer behind Lionel Messi's visit to Kolkata, expressed regret over the chaotic event that marred the football star's tour in India. He cited mismanagement, political interference, and security lapses as key factors that led to his 38-day custody following the incident, which he blames on the local administration and police.
- 01Satadru Dutta faced significant challenges organizing Messi's Kolkata event, including political interference and security failures.
- 02The event devolved into chaos with unauthorized individuals surrounding Messi, leading to his abrupt departure.
- 03Dutta spent 38 days in custody and claims he was made a scapegoat for the failures of the police and administration.
- 04He plans to pursue legal action against those responsible for the chaos and to seek an impartial investigation.
- 05Dutta now regrets bringing Messi to Kolkata, feeling the event was mishandled by local authorities.
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Satadru Dutta, the organizer of Lionel Messi's much-anticipated tour in India, has opened up about the chaos that unfolded during the Kolkata leg of the event. Initially expected to be a landmark occasion for Indian football, the event quickly turned controversial due to allegations of mismanagement and political interference. Dutta claims that despite following all necessary protocols, including extensive meetings with police and securing appropriate permissions, unauthorized individuals crowded the venue, leading to Messi's abrupt exit. He highlighted that the presence of a politically motivated sports minister contributed to the chaos, as he pressured Dutta for extra access and disregarded the established security measures. Following the incident, Dutta was taken into custody for 38 days, during which he felt he was unfairly targeted while those in power escaped scrutiny. He intends to pursue legal action against those who violated accreditation protocols and is seeking a defamation case against the government for the fallout. Reflecting on the ordeal, Dutta expressed regret for bringing Messi to Kolkata, stating that he could have chosen a different venue to avoid the complications that arose.
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The controversy surrounding Messi's event has raised questions about security and management at high-profile events in Kolkata, affecting the reputation of local authorities.
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