Messi Event
Sourav Ganguly sues local Argentina Fan Club president for Rs. 50 crore for linking him to Messi event chaos
Kolkata/IBNS: Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has filed a Rs. 50 crore defamation case against Uttam Saha, president of the Argentina Fan Club of Kolkata, for allegedly linking him to the chaos at Lionel Messi’s event at Salt Lake Stadium last week, media reports said.
In a complaint lodged at Lalbazar, Ganguly described Saha’s remarks as baseless, false, malicious, offensive, and defamatory, claiming they caused serious damage to his reputation.
Ganguly, who is also the current Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president, clarified that he was invited as a guest to Messi’s G.O.A.T. India Tour 2025 event and had no role in organising it.
Saha had alleged that Ganguly was a backer of the now-arrested organiser Satadru Dutta, whom Saha referred to as a “middleman.” He also made political claims linking Ganguly to both BJP and Trinamool Congress for alleged personal gain.
The chaos erupted moments after Messi stepped out of his car and entered the field, where he was immediately surrounded by hundreds of people, including police and dignitaries, blocking the view for nearly 80,000 spectators.
Trinamool Congress leader Aroop Biswas, who resigned as state sports minister after the fiasco, was seen closely accompanying Messi along with international footballers Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, while several individuals forced selfies and photographs.
Family members of the minister and relatives of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee were also spotted near Messi at the centre of the field, leaving ticket-paying fans unable to get a proper view.
Security personnel, including Messi’s own team, struggled for nearly an hour to control the situation. The programme, which was supposed to feature Mamata Banerjee, Shah Rukh Khan, and Ganguly, was cut short, drawing nationwide criticism.
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