Lionel Messi Kolkata Row: Suvendu Adhikari Says Process Underway To Refund 33,000 ‘Cheated’ Fans

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday said an internal process was underway to secure refunds for around 33,000 football fans who he claimed were “cheated” during Lionel Messi’s appearance at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata last December.

Adhikari said fans had purchased tickets worth Rs 6,000, Rs 4,000 and Rs 8,000 to attend the much-anticipated event featuring the Argentine football superstar. However, he did not provide details on how the refund claims would be verified or when the payments could be made.

“Messi has huge fan followers. They have been cheated by buying tickets worth Rs 6,000, 4,000, and 8,000. I am trying to return the money to 33,000 cheated sports fans,” Adhikari said, according to reports.

“I am also running the process internally so I can either return their money or have it returned. I hope I can do that,” he added. Lionel Messi Statue Removed in Kolkata: 70-Foot Monument Dismantled Over Safety Concerns After Storms (Watch Video).

Suvendu Adhikari Targets TMC Over Sports Infrastructure

Adhikari made the remarks while addressing a programme organised to mark National Sports Day. He also criticised the previous Trinamool Congress government over what he described as inadequate development of sports infrastructure in West Bengal. Lionel Messi's GOAT India Tour: INR 10 Lakh for A Handshake and Photo With Argentina Football Star.

The chief minister said the state had lagged behind neighbouring states such as Odisha, Jharkhand and Haryana in creating facilities and supporting athletes.

“When we see neighbouring Odisha, Jharkhand and Haryana making the country proud with the feats of their athletes and other delegations at international meets, we must also recognise the immense possibilities of our sportspersons and introspect on how to nurture them,” he said.

Adhikari questioned the reasons behind what he described as declining motivation among sporting talents in the state and called for greater support and opportunities for young athletes.

Adhikari Announces Sports Initiatives

The chief minister said the state government had earmarked Rs 400 crore for sports in its budget and indicated that additional funds could be allocated.

He also said the BJP government planned to establish indoor stadiums across all 294 Assembly constituencies in West Bengal. According to Adhikari, each facility would be named after Sri Aurobindo.

He called on Sports Minister Indranil Khan to work towards ensuring that athletes from West Bengal find representation in the national football team and participate in major competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and South Asian Federation (SAF) Games.

Adhikari also said eligible sportspersons representing India at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games would receive incentives from the state government.

Calls For Politics-Free Sports Bodies

Adhikari further alleged that sports organisations and federations had been politicised under the previous regime. He argued that politicians should not occupy top positions in sporting bodies.

“No sports organisation and federation should be influenced by and helmed by politicians. MPs and MLAs should not run the show. Why should sports organisations have politicians at the top?” he asked.

“Change the system,” he told the sports minister.

The chief minister said sports programmes had been organised across the state from August 28 to 30 to encourage greater participation in sporting activities. He also recalled West Bengal’s participation in International Yoga Day events in June and said the Union Sports Minister had asked the state to submit proposals focused on improving youth fitness and supporting budding sportspersons.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 30, 2026 01:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).