Sourav Ganguly has initiated legal proceedings against Uttam Saha, president of the Argentina Fan Club of Kolkata, after being publicly linked to the controversy
surrounding Lionel Messi's much-publicised appearance at the Yuva Bharati Stadium earlier this month.
Ganguly has filed a defamation case seeking ₹50 crore in damages, asserting that the allegations made against him were false and damaging.
The complaint was submitted at Lalbazar, where Ganguly challenged statements made by Saha that allegedly connected him to the mismanagement of the event held on December 13. According to Ganguly, the remarks were made without any factual basis and resulted in serious harm to his reputation built over decades in public life.
In his legal filing, Ganguly described the accusations as "malicious and defamatory," stating that they were made with full awareness of their potential impact. Currently serving as the president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), Ganguly clarified that he had no responsibility in organising or supervising the Messi programme. He maintained that his attendance at the stadium was limited to that of an invited guest and that he had no involvement in operational or managerial decisions.
A key point of contention in the complaint relates to claims that Ganguly acted as an intermediary in the event's management. Ganguly has firmly denied this, stating that the programme was handled by its principal organiser, Satadru Dutta, and that he had no role in negotiations or coordination.
The legal move comes amid ongoing fallout from the chaotic scenes that unfolded at the stadium, where poor crowd control and logistical failures overshadowed Messi's visit. The event drew sharp criticism from fans who had purchased expensive tickets but were left disappointed by limited visibility and disruptions.
Following the incident, organiser Satadru Dutta was detained for questioning, while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issued a public apology, expressing regret to Messi and football fans over the disorder. The episode has reignited debate around VIP access and crowd management at major sporting events in India.
Ganguly's legal team has issued a notice to Saha, seeking a public retraction and compensation, as the matter now heads toward a potential court battle.
