A shadow looms over Kolkata’s football fraternity as the Indian Football Association (IFA) cracks down on four referees linked to a controversial pre-Messi match. The December 13 clash at Yuva Bharati Krirangan between Mohun Bagan and Diamond Harbour Legends has sparked outrage over unauthorized officiating.
IFA officials confirm the referees bypassed required permissions from the association or local referees’ body. This violation has prompted summons to the disciplinary committee meeting on January 20. Expect heated arguments as the quartet explains their decisions.
The backdrop is the infamous Messi event that descended into mayhem. Eager fans packed the stadium hours early, but Messi’s arrival triggered pandemonium. Overwhelmed security failed to contain the mob, forcing the legend off the pitch after just 22 minutes.
Fury boiled over afterward. Rioting supporters trashed the venue—smashing chairs, littering the field with debris, forcing open gates, and trampling the turf. Reports detail widespread destruction in stands and lounges.
Consequences were swift: organizer Satadru Dutta jailed, sports minister Arup stepping down, and senior police brass slapped with notices. Now, the referees’ fate hangs in balance amid IFA’s rigorous probe.
Football purists argue such lapses undermine the sport’s integrity. Stakeholders await the committee’s verdict, which could set precedents for future high-stakes games in India.
