After Lionel Messi’s brief 20-minute appearance triggered chaos inside Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, thousands of angry spectators demanded full refunds for the event — many of whom paid ₹5,000 to ₹20,000 for tickets but could barely catch a glimpse of the football icon. The big question now is: Will the ticket money be refunded?
Here is the current status:
1. The organiser has given a written assurance for refunds
West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar confirmed that Satadru Dutta — the promoter of Messi’s GOAT India Tour 2025 — has been detained and has provided a written commitment that all sold tickets will be refunded.
This is the first formal step indicating that the government intends to hold the organiser financially accountable.
2. A government committee will verify all claims
The Bengal government has set up a special inquiry committee that will examine:
• Whether mismanagement led to the chaos
• How many ticket buyers are eligible for refunds
• The mechanism through which refunds will be processed
Only after the committee’s findings will detailed refund procedures be announced.
3. Refund process not started yet
As of now, no official refund window or portal has been opened. Ticket-selling platforms and organisers have not released timelines. The government is currently assessing:
• Ticket databases
• Payment records
• Crowd size vs. tickets sold
This means refunds are promised, but not yet operational.
4. Why the government intervened
The crowd unrest — broken seats, water bottles thrown, pitch invasion — highlighted severe mismanagement. More importantly, thousands of fans claimed they:
• Couldn’t see Messi at all
• Were blocked by VIP zones
• Didn’t get what the ticket promised
To prevent escalation and ensure accountability, the government insisted on written assurances before allowing the organiser to proceed.
5. What fans should expect next
Over the coming days, expect:
• A public announcement outlining refund steps
• A verification process (likely via email or booking ID)
• A timeline for disbursal
However, the final modality — full refund vs. partial refund — will depend on the inquiry findings
