The government of West Bengal has a herculean task to wipe out the Messi Mess that had left scars for football fans across the globe on December 13, 2025.
Authorities have put in place an extensive, multi-tier security framework at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) ahead of the highly anticipated international football fixture between India and Brazil on Saturday. The last experience with the Lionel Messi event had tarnished the image across the world. We will ensure that this match is witnessed as a flagship in terms of arrangements and quality performance. The rulebook will be adhered to, unlike what we saw last December. With organisers expecting a capacity turnout for one of the biggest sporting events hosted in the city in recent times, law enforcement is leaving no stone unturned to maintain order.
Bidhannagar Police announced on match eve that approximately 2,000 police personnel, alongside 400 civic volunteers, will be deployed to manage the crowd and secure the venue.
Speaking exclusively to NDTV, Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal said, “The government of West Bengal has made very strict guidelines for this match.
