The controversy surrounding football legend Lionel Messi’s proposed Kolkata visit has taken a dramatic legal turn, with former Indian cricket captain and ex-BCCI president Sourav Ganguly serving a ₹50-crore defamation notice on a city-based football fan club official. Ganguly has also approached the Cyber Cell of Kolkata Police, alleging that false and defamatory statements have damaged his reputation and mental well-being.
At the centre of the dispute is Uttam Saha, associated with the Argentina Football Fan Club, who allegedly made public claims linking Ganguly to the planning of the much-hyped G.O.A.T India Tour. According to Ganguly, these remarks were baseless, misleading, and malicious, dragging his name into a controversy he had no connection with.
‘Dragged Into a Mess I Had Nothing to Do With’
The allegations gained momentum after chaos broke out during a December 13 programme at Salt Lake Stadium, where Messi was scheduled to be felicitated in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other dignitaries. The event was disrupted due to crowd mismanagement, forcing Messi to leave early and leading to arrests, including that of the prime organiser.
Saha reportedly claimed that Ganguly was the “real force” behind the event and that the arrested organiser was merely a front—an assertion Ganguly has categorically denied.
“I have absolutely no direct or indirect role in organising Messi’s visit. My name has been dragged in without any evidence,” Ganguly said, rejecting the allegations.
‘People Say Anything Without Proof’: Ganguly
Confirming the legal action, Ganguly told PTI that reckless allegations against public figures must be challenged.
“Besides the police complaint, I have sent a ₹50-crore legal notice. People say whatever comes to their mind without any evidence. This has caused serious harm to my reputation,” he said.
In his cyber complaint, Ganguly stated that the statements were deliberately circulated to malign his image, affecting his mental peace and professional standing built over decades in Indian and international sport.
Cyber Cell Probe Begins
Kolkata Police officials confirmed receipt of the complaint and said a preliminary inquiry is underway. Authorities will examine whether the statements meet the legal threshold for criminal defamation and cyber offences.
Legal experts note that if the allegations are found to be false and intentionally damaging, the case could carry serious consequences.
What began as a celebratory football event has now snowballed into a high-profile legal and reputational battle, highlighting concerns around accountability, misinformation, and responsibility in high-stakes sporting events.
