Sourav Ganguly files police complaint, sends legal notice after being dragged into Messi visit controversy

Former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has taken legal action after his name was dragged into the controversy surrounding Lionel Messi’s recent visit to Kolkata. Ganguly has sent a Rs 50 crore defamation notice to an official of a Kolkata-based football fan club, accusing him of making false and defamatory statements in public.

Ganguly has also filed a police complaint against Uttam Saha, an official of the Argentina Football Fan Club, on Thursday, December 18. Speaking to PTI, Ganguly said he was forced to act after repeated allegations were made linking him to the organisation of Messi’s GOAT India Tour event in Kolkata. “Besides the police complaint, I have sent this official of the football fan club a ₹50 crore legal notice. They keep saying anything that comes to their mind,” Ganguly said.

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The controversy began after Saha claimed in an interview that Ganguly was the real person behind organising Messi’s Kolkata visit. He alleged that Satadru Dutta, who has since been arrested, was only acting as a front. Ganguly has strongly denied these claims.

In his complaint to the Cyber Cell of Kolkata Police, Ganguly stated that the allegations had harmed his reputation and caused him mental distress. A police officer confirmed that an investigation is currently underway and said the complaint states accusations were made against Ganguly without any factual basis.

Ganguly was scheduled to be present at Salt Lake Stadium on December 13 to felicitate Lionel Messi along with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other dignitaries. However, the event was cancelled after chaos broke out inside the stadium following Messi’s early exit.

What happened during Messi's Kolkata visit?

Messi’s much-anticipated Kolkata stop during the GOAT Tour of India 2025 ended in disorder after the Argentine superstar stayed at the venue for only around 20 minutes. Soon after his arrival, Messi was surrounded by politicians, police officials, VIPs and their entourages, blocking the view for thousands of fans who had bought tickets.

The situation worsened as security struggled to control the crowd. Security officials then decided to cut short Messi’s appearance and took him out of the venue. Angry fans later damaged stadium property, throwing seats and bottles in frustration. An FIR was lodged following the incident, and Dutta was arrested by the police. Kolkata Police later said that the organisers have assured refunds for the fans affected by the chaos.