Kolkata | The controversy surrounding Argentine football legend Lionel Messi’s recent India visit has taken a sharp legal turn, with former India cricket captain and senior sports administrator Sourav Ganguly initiating defamation proceedings against a Kolkata-based football fan club official. Ganguly has issued a ₹50-crore legal notice alleging that false, defamatory and malicious statements were made publicly to link him with the allegedly mismanaged ‘GOAT India Tour 2025’ event.
In addition to the civil defamation notice, Ganguly has also filed a formal complaint with the Cyber Cell of the Kolkata Police, stating that the allegations have caused serious damage to his reputation, public standing and mental peace.
Allegations Termed “Baseless and Malicious”
The legal action has been initiated against Uttam Saha, an office-bearer of the Argentina Football Fan Club. Saha, while speaking to a journalist earlier this week, had alleged that Ganguly was the real force behind organising Messi’s India tour and that the now-arrested prime organiser Satadru Dutta was merely a front.
Ganguly has categorically denied these claims, describing them as entirely false, irresponsible and defamatory. Speaking to reporters, he said that such statements were made without any factual basis and appeared to be a deliberate attempt to drag his name into a controversy with which he had no organisational role.
“People are saying anything that comes to their mind. These allegations are completely false and are aimed at damaging my image,” Ganguly said, adding that he was compelled to pursue legal remedies to protect his reputation.
Complaint Filed with Cyber Cell
According to senior police officials, Ganguly’s complaint was submitted via e-mail to the Cyber Cell of the Kolkata Police. The complaint states that the accused deliberately levelled serious allegations against him in public forums and media interactions, knowing fully well that they were unsupported by evidence.
A police officer confirmed that the complaint alleges intentional defamation, noting that an inquiry has been initiated based on the contents of the representation. “The complaint clearly mentions that the statements were made without any factual backing and fall within the scope of defamation. The matter is under examination,” the officer said.
In his complaint, Ganguly emphasised that his professional career spans several decades, during which he has earned national and international recognition as both a sportsperson and a sports administrator. He stated that such unfounded allegations threaten to undermine the credibility and goodwill built over years of public service.
Chaos at Salt Lake Stadium Triggered the Row
The controversy stems from events surrounding a programme organised on December 13 at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, as part of Messi’s ‘GOAT India Tour 2025’. The event descended into chaos after Messi reportedly exited the venue earlier than scheduled, triggering anger among spectators and leading to disorder inside the stadium. The programme was subsequently cancelled.
Ganguly was scheduled to share the stage with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other dignitaries to felicitate Messi and his entourage. However, the cancellation of the event meant that the felicitation did not take place.
Following the incident, multiple allegations, counter-allegations and political statements surfaced, eventually drawing Ganguly into the controversy—claims he has strongly refuted.
Multiple Probes Already Underway
Even before Ganguly’s legal action, the Messi event had come under scrutiny at multiple levels. The state government and police authorities have initiated inquiries into procedural lapses, crowd management failures and alleged irregularities in permissions and security arrangements. Committees and special investigation teams have been recommended to examine the conduct of organisers and associated entities.
Against this backdrop, Ganguly’s defamation notice has added a significant legal dimension to an already high-profile controversy.
“Clear Signal of Zero Tolerance”
Legal experts say that issuing a ₹50-crore defamation notice sends a strong signal that Ganguly does not intend to let unsubstantiated allegations pass unchallenged. Such notices, they note, are often aimed at establishing accountability for public statements that can cause reputational harm.
As investigations by the police and administrative authorities continue, it remains to be seen whether any evidence emerges to substantiate the claims made by the fan club official. Until then, the episode stands at the intersection of sports, public reputation and legal accountability, marking one of the most prominent controversies surrounding a sporting event in recent times.
