Indian football hero Bhaichung Bhutia makes feelings clear about ‘very disappointing’ Lionel Messi GOAT tour in Kolkata

Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia has slammed the VIP culture in India for the chaos at the Lionel Messi event in Kolkata on Saturday, December 13. He was sad that the fans who paid to see the Barcelona legend at the stadium could not see him.

Speaking to ANI, Bhutia said that event organisers are finding it hard to stop VIPs from taking the center stage because of their status. He added that the Government should take action to prevent a repeat of the Salt Lake Stadium issue and said (via TOI):

"I think it's very unfortunate. I think the organisers did their best, but sometimes it gets out of control, especially VIP culture - it becomes very difficult even to the organisers to stop a lot of VIPs who are not supposed to be there as well, I think they entered and crowded. The genuine fans did not really get to see Messi. So, I think that was where the fans were very upset."

"Hopefully, I think these kinds of mistakes don't happen...I heard 80,000 people came in to see Messi. Knowing that Messi is worshipped in Kolkata and in India, when they get disappointed paying such a high-price and coming from such faraway places, I think it's very disappointing. I think the Govt has taken some steps and action...My only suggestion is that I think in future this has to be really well-organised and at the same time, lot of unwanted VIPs surrounding should be avoided."

Lionel Messi was surrounded by VIPs on the pitch, leaving the fans in the stands frustrated as they could not see the Inter Miami captain. The chaos forced him to leave within 10 minutes.

Lionel Messi event organiser arrested in Kolkata

Additional Director General Law and Order Jawed Shamim spoke to the media after the chaos at the Salt Lake Stadium, revealing that they had arrested the organiser, Satadru Dutta. He wants the fans to be refunded their money too and said (via TOI):

"There is normalcy now. The second part is the investigation; the FIR has been lodged, and the chief organiser has been arrested... I'm telling you, they (organisers) are promising that they will return (ticket fee to fans). We will see how it can be done."

Lionel Messi headed to Hyderabad within hours, as he was scheduled to attend the second event of his GOAT tour. He will head to Mumbai on the 14th, then leave India after the New Delhi event on the 15th.