India, Aug. 30 -- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on National Sports Day said the state government would refund the ticket money of 33,000 fans who attended Lionel Messi's controversial event at Kolkata's Yuva Bharati Stadium.

Adhikari said the refunds would be made from the state's sports budget and that the process had already been initiated internally.

Speaking at a National Sports Day programme at Nabanna, Adhikari said Messi had a huge fan base and that many supporters had purchased tickets priced at Rs.4,000 and Rs.6,000.

"Messi has a huge fan base. They had purchased tickets costing Rs 4,000 and Rs 6,000. It is my wish to ensure that the money paid by these 33,000 sports enthusiasts is refunded. I have already initia...