Messi GOAT India Tour: Sourav Ganguly lodges a police complaint against the president of the Argentina Fan Club

Cricket legend Sourav Ganguly has lodged a formal police complaint at Lalbazar against Uttam Saha, president of the Argentina Fan Club, accusing him of deliberately dragging his name into the Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour controversy to tarnish his reputation. In a bold legal move, Ganguly has also served a legal notice demanding Rs 50 crore in damages for alleged defamation, marking a rare clash between sporting icons and fan group leaders.

Ganguly lodged an official complaint against Uttam Saha

The dispute stems from heated exchanges surrounding the things that happened at the Yubha Bharati Kirangan or the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata during Lionel Messi's GOAT India tour event. Sourav Ganguly is said to be close with the event organiser Shatadru Dutta, who was taken into custody after angry fans raged into the stadium and damaged stadium properties. Fans were angry after they could not see the Argentine great despite spending thousands of rupees.

Ganguly was present during the event in Kolkata, but he was not seen in close proximity to Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo de Paul.

Saha, known for his vocal support of Lionel Messi and Argentine football in Kolkata's fan circles, reportedly made false, malicious, derogatory, and reputation-damaging statements implicating Ganguly.

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Sources close to the matter reveal Saha's public remarks accused Ganguly of ulterior motives, sparking widespread online backlash and calls for accountability.​

Ganguly, in his complaint to Kolkata Police, detailed how Saha's actions were "intentional" and aimed at "slander and ruining goodwill."

The former India captain emphasised his clean legacy in cricket administration, including his stint as BCCI president, and refused to let baseless allegations slide.

“Serious allegations are being made publicly without any factual basis,” Ganguly said in his complaint, as per India Today.

Ganguly's Rs 50 crore claim underscores the financial toll of reputational harm, especially for public figures. Saha, yet to respond publicly, faces potential arrest if police find prima facie evidence. The Argentina Fan Club, popular for its Messi worship amid Kolkata's football frenzy, now grapples with internal divisions.