Image: IANS KOLKATA: On a day Lionel Messi became the joint highest goal-scorer in World Cup history and scored his first World Cup hat-trick, Kolkata was reminded of the Salt Lake stadium fiasco, with the football legend’s chief adviser and consultant to last year’s GOAT India Tour reportedly emailing Bidhannagar police commissioner Wednesday, flagging former sports minister Aroop Biswas’s alleged interference and violation of security protocol that prompted Messi’s early exit.Reacting to the development, Kolkata police commissioner Ajay Nand, however, said: “Ye sab poochke mahaul kyun kharab karna. (Why spoil the atmosphere by asking all this?) We have no such reports. We need to check.” TOI tried to contact Bidhannagar CP Tripurari Atharv, but multiple calls and text messages went unanswered.According to sources, the official clarified in the letter that the approved protocol for Messi’s Dec 13 appearance at the Salt Lake stadium allowed no dignitaries on the field, while only three camera operators were to be present there.“But the protocol was disrupted when the then sports minister entered the field and became involved in activities that were not part of the scheduled programme. This included repeated unscheduled interactions and physical contact with Messi, including placing hands on his shoulder and around his waist for photographs,” the official reportedly stated. “These actions, together with the presence of several other unauthorised individuals and approximately 40 unaccredited photographers in restricted areas… and created concerns regarding Messi’s security… and made it impossible for him to interact with the individuals planned on the field,” he added.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorTamaghna BanerjeeTamaghna Banerjee, a reporter from Kolkata, covers crime, aviation, human rights and politics. He has a keen interest in human interest and rural reporting. He has done his postgraduation in journalism and mass communication. He has a total of 14 years in journalism.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi, Trump Hold Bilateral Talks On Hormuz, Seafarers, Defence, Trade TiesSpeaker to Hear TMC and Rebel Camps Before Deciding on Breakaway Faction’s Claim’If India Comes Under Attack And Modi Is The Leader, US Will Help’: Trump’It’s A Rough…’: Trump Reacts To Indian Seafarers’ Deaths As PM Modi Raises ConcernsAfter BJP Exit, Annamalai Eyes New Political Party With Growing Membership Base’We Are Prepared’: Akhilesh Yadav Rejects Split Buzz, Accuses BJP of Engineering Defections | WatchRevolt-Hit TMC Asked to Vacate Kolkata Headquarters Amid Lease DisputeIndia Blocks Telegram Ahead Of NEET Re-Exam, But It Remains Operational On VPNAs NEET Re-Exam Nears, Two Young Aspirants Die By Suicide In Delhi And DehradunUS Map Shows PoJK As Pakistan’s Part, Drops ‘Indo’ From Pacific Command Name123Photostories5 luxury residential regions in Greater Noida attracting premium homebuyersWhat to do when your child is angry: Parents share most effective techniques that almost invariably workedRupali Ganguly’s rise to fame: From a filmmaker’s daughter to Indian television’s leading ladyHow to recognize manipulation: 5 life skills parents must teach children6 fun, cute and unique souvenirs you must bring home from JapanYou may not notice these health problems after 40 until it’s too late: The essential tests every man needsTop 10 safest countries in the world in 2026; what travellers should know5 signs of narcissism – And 3 ways on how to deal with a narcissist, reveals pyschologist Dr Ramani DurvasulaPrincess Diana’s timeless beauty secrets that are still relevant today10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by spring flowers123Hot PicksLionel Messi WifeVaibhav SooryavanshiDehradun NEET Aspirant DieFIFA World Cup Free Live Streamingilia topuriaIND vs AFG ScorecardUGC NET admit cardNHL TradeTyson Fury vs Anthony JoshuaTop TrendingSairaj BahutaleFrance vs Senegal Live ScoreKarley SwindelFIFA World Cup 2026Jewar Noida International AirportHormuz BlockadeSpaceXCBSE 10th Second Board Result 2026Eknath ShindeAustria vs Jordan Match Result
KOLKATA: On a day Lionel Messi became the joint highest goal-scorer in World Cup history and scored his first World Cup hat-trick, Kolkata was reminded of the Salt Lake stadium fiasco, with the football legend’s chief adviser and consultant to last year’s GOAT India Tour reportedly emailing Bidhannagar police commissioner Wednesday, flagging former sports minister Aroop Biswas’s alleged interference and violation of security protocol that prompted Messi’s early exit.Reacting to the development, Kolkata police commissioner Ajay Nand, however, said: “Ye sab poochke mahaul kyun kharab karna. (Why spoil the atmosphere by asking all this?) We have no such reports. We need to check.” TOI tried to contact Bidhannagar CP Tripurari Atharv, but multiple calls and text messages went unanswered.According to sources, the official clarified in the letter that the approved protocol for Messi’s Dec 13 appearance at the Salt Lake stadium allowed no dignitaries on the field, while only three camera operators were to be present there.“But the protocol was disrupted when the then sports minister entered the field and became involved in activities that were not part of the scheduled programme. This included repeated unscheduled interactions and physical contact with Messi, including placing hands on his shoulder and around his waist for photographs,” the official reportedly stated. “These actions, together with the presence of several other unauthorised individuals and approximately 40 unaccredited photographers in restricted areas… and created concerns regarding Messi’s security… and made it impossible for him to interact with the individuals planned on the field,” he added.
