Kerala’s much-publicised plan to bring Lionel Messi and the Argentina national football team to the state has come under fresh scrutiny after a Sports Department inquiry flagged alleged financial and procedural irregularities in the proposed event.
The inquiry report, prepared by Sports Department Special Secretary N Prashant and submitted to Sports Minister O J Janeesh, has reportedly recommended further investigation by the Vigilance Department and central agencies into possible violations of foreign-exchange regulations and money-laundering laws. The report has since been forwarded to the Chief Minister for further action.
At the centre of the controversy is a claimed payment of around US$15 million, or approximately ₹126 crore, which the event’s sponsor, Reporter Broadcasting Company, had stated was paid to the Argentine Football Association (AFA) for the proposed visit. According to the inquiry, however, officials could not find documentary evidence establishing that the amount was actually remitted to or received by the AFA or the Argentina team.
Questions Over the ₹126 Crore Transaction
The inquiry has raised questions about the money trail surrounding the proposed event. According to the report, the sponsor had sought permission through the Kerala government to transfer funds overseas through a US-based agency. While approval was reportedly obtained for the proposed transfer, the sponsor did not submit documents establishing that the transaction had taken place.
The issue has also attracted the attention of the GST authorities. The tax department has reportedly sought ₹22.68 crore in service tax from the sponsor in connection with the ₹126-crore transaction.
The Sports Department inquiry has further noted that Kerala had approached the Centre seeking permission for an exhibition match in Kochi and for transferring funds abroad even though the state had not received official confirmation from the Argentina team regarding the proposed visit.
Sponsor Selection Under Scrutiny
The process through which the event sponsor was selected has also come under question.
According to the inquiry, the private company was selected without an open tendering process. The report has flagged the absence of procedures such as inviting expressions of interest, assessing sponsorship rates, verifying the company’s financial capacity and establishing the source of funds.
The inquiry has also raised questions about the initial company that approached the government with the proposal. Reports say the firm, Gold and Global, had been registered only around 20 days before submitting its proposal and had a paid-up capital of ₹1 lakh at the time. It reportedly shared an address with Reporter Broadcasting Company, which subsequently became the sponsor.
The proposed project was estimated to involve a cost of around ₹210 crore, while the sponsor was reportedly entrusted with the responsibility of entering into an agreement with the AFA.
Missing Documents Add to the Questions
Freshly surfaced details have also raised questions about the documentation surrounding the proposed Argentina visit.
The Sports Department inquiry reportedly found that an agreement between Reporter Broadcasting Company and the AFA, dated December 20, 2024, was not available in the department’s official files, despite a government order issued four days later stating that steps had been initiated to bring the Argentina team to Kerala.
The inquiry also found that several communications between the office of former Sports Minister V Abdurahiman and AFA representatives were missing from official files. Some correspondence was reportedly added to government records much later.
Questions have additionally been raised over official emails being copied to a private individual who was not part of the Sports Department or the minister’s official staff. The individual has reportedly said she became involved because of her acquaintance with an AFA representative and had communicated with the AFA on behalf of the sponsor and the former minister.
Former Minister Defends the Process
Former Sports Minister V Abdurahiman has rejected allegations of wrongdoing and maintained that the procedures followed by the previous LDF government were appropriate. He has also stated that the state did not suffer financial loss from the failed effort to bring the Argentina team to Kerala.
However, the inquiry has noted that the state did incur expenditure in connection with efforts to bring the team to Kerala. A delegation led by Abdurahiman travelled to Spain in 2024, with expenditure of ₹13.04 lakh reportedly recorded for the visit.
SIT Probe Likely
The controversy has now moved beyond the Sports Department inquiry. The Kerala government is set to examine the matter through a Special Investigation Team (SIT), with the probe expected to look into allegations concerning the previous LDF government’s handling of the sponsor and the proposed Argentina visit.
The SIT is also expected to examine allegations surrounding the sponsor’s tax liability and the handling of the ₹126-crore transaction. A separate inquiry by the Finance Inspection Wing is looking into the financial transactions and the government’s efforts to bring the Argentina team to Kerala.
The proposed Messi visit, first announced with considerable excitement among Kerala’s football fans, ultimately failed to materialise. What began as an ambitious attempt to bring one of world football’s biggest names to the state has now turned into a wider investigation involving questions over contracts, sponsor selection, financial transactions, government procedures and official documentation.
While the inquiry has flagged several alleged irregularities, the ₹126-crore transaction and other allegations remain subject to further investigation. The outcome of the proposed SIT and other probes will determine whether any violations or wrongdoing are ultimately established.
