Controversial Football Sculpture Outside Salt Lake Stadium Demolished
Brief By Newsbrief / 11:35 AM on 24 May 2026
A major change was witnessed outside Kolkata’s iconic Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday morning after a controversial football sculpture, reportedly designed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was demolished. The sculpture had stood outside the stadium for several years and had long remained a subject of public and political debate.
The structure featured an unusual design showing two detached legs with a football placed above them. It also carried the ‘Biswa Bangla’ logo, which is closely associated with the previous Trinamool Congress government. Football fans visiting the stadium had been familiar with the sculpture for years, but opinions regarding its artistic value remained divided from the beginning.
While some people viewed it as a unique piece of modern art, many football supporters believed the design did not suit a world-famous football venue like Salt Lake Stadium. On Saturday morning, locals arriving near the VVIP gate found the structure broken, leading to widespread discussion both on the streets and across social media platforms.
Political reactions soon followed the demolition. BJP leader Kiya Ghosh posted on social media stating that the controversial structure outside the stadium had finally been removed, as previously indicated. Her remarks further intensified political discussions surrounding the issue.
Earlier, West Bengal Sports Minister Nishith Pramanik had stated on May 17 that the sculpture did not match the aesthetic appeal of the stadium and would be removed as part of broader infrastructure improvement plans.
The stadium had also drawn attention during Lionel Messi’s reported GOAT India Tour event last December, when overcrowding and mismanagement raised concerns about stadium arrangements. Installed before the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, the sculpture had remained controversial ever since, and its demolition has now reignited debate across both political and sporting circles in Kolkata.