‘No proof Argentina FA agreed’: Kerala Messi deal under cloud over financial irregularities

Kochi: A Kerala Sports Department investigation has flagged large-scale financial irregularities in the proposal to bring football legend Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team to the state, raising questions over the conduct of the previous LDF government and sponsor Reporter Broadcasting Company.

The report suggests that the people of Kerala, known for their passionate following of football, may have been misled over the proposed visit.

No official confirmation from Argentina

According to the investigation report, the office of the former Sports Minister had sent an email inviting the Argentina Football Association (AFA) to Kerala. However, there are reportedly no records showing that the AFA formally responded to the invitation.

The Sports Department also has no documents confirming that Argentina had accepted the invitation or agreed to visit Kerala. The report further indicates that there is no evidence establishing that the Argentina team was even aware of the proposal.

Questions over handing over Kochi stadium

The report has also raised concerns over the handing over of the stadium in Kaloor, Kochi, to the sponsor.

It found irregularities in the process, including questions surrounding meetings held under the leadership of then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The report noted that the basic requirement that a stadium must have FIFA registration to host international matches was not properly considered before steps were taken to hand it over to the sponsor.

Former minister’s Madrid trip under scrutiny

The Madrid visit undertaken by former Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman has also come under scrutiny.

The report recommends examining the purpose of the visit and the expenditure incurred during the trip. It states that the minister personally handled correspondence and related communications, while there was a lack of coordination and transparency within the department.

Changes in match fee raise questions

The investigation has also flagged discrepancies in the proposed match fee.

According to the report, the initial agreement was for two matches at $7.5 million each. The records were later changed to show a payment of $15 million for a single match.

The sponsor was reportedly selected without following the required tender procedures. The investigation also found that bank records supporting the sponsor’s claim of having made the payment were unavailable.

The report further questioned a clause in an agreement between two private companies that required the government to bear the cost of security arrangements, describing the move as improper.

Rs 126 crore payment claim

The investigation report, submitted to the Chief Minister by Special Secretary N. Prasanth, alleges that a multi-crore financial fraud was carried out during the previous government’s tenure in the name of bringing Messi to Kerala.

Reporter Broadcasting Company, which acted as the sponsor, has claimed that it paid Rs 126 crore to the Argentina Football Association. The investigation has raised questions over the documentation and financial transactions related to the claim.

The report has recommended further investigation by the Vigilance Department and central agencies into possible violations of foreign exchange regulations and money laundering.

As the controversy involves international football organisations and substantial financial transactions, the state government is reportedly treating the findings seriously.