Banerjee stated that she was en route to the Salt Lake stadium to participate in the event, joined by thousands of fans eager to catch a glimpse of the football superstar.
“I sincerely apologize to Lionel Messi, as well as to all sports enthusiasts and his fans, for the regrettable incident,” she wrote in a post on X.
????Leo messi just arrived at the salt lake stadium in Kolkata & the Whole crowd Started Chanting “MESSI, MESSI, MESSI”. ????????
The Stadium holding over 110k is fully packed, Insane. ????pic.twitter.com/yhqVYDahRz
— MessiXtra (@MessiXtraHQ) December 13, 2025
“I am establishing an inquiry committee headed by Justice (Retd.) Ashim Kumar Ray, with the Chief Secretary and the Additional Chief Secretary, Home and Hill Affairs Department, as members,” she added.
Banerjee mentioned that the committee will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, assign accountability, and suggest measures to avert such occurrences in the future.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: Frustrated fans threw bottles and chairs from the stands at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium
Star footballer Lionel Messi has departed from the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
More updates to follow. pic.twitter.com/mcxi6YROyr
— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025
“Once again, I extend my sincere apologies to all sports lovers,” she expressed.
VIDEO | Kolkata: Football legend Lionel Messi will virtually unveil his 70-foot statue from Salt Lake Stadium, alongside West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan at the event.#LionelMessi #Kolkata #Football
(Full VIDEO available on PTI Videos –… pic.twitter.com/dqISIwMgl4
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 13, 2025
Messi’s fleeting visit to the city turned chaotic as agitated fans breached security protocols after not being able to see the world’s most famous footballer during his brief 22-minute presence at the Salt Lake stadium in the morning.
