Former Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman announced in July 2023 that the Latin American giants would probably play two exhibition matches in Kochi in 2025. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
Story so far:
The Kerala government is considering a multi-agency probe into the previous LDF government’s failed bid to bring the Argentina football team and its legendary captain Lionel Messi to Kochi for an international friendly. A Sports Department inquiry has now flagged alleged financial irregularities, serious procedural lapses and possible violations of foreign exchange and money laundering laws.
Also read | How Kerala’s Messi dream faded amid stadium row | Explained
What is the controversy about?
The controversy centres on the previous LDF government’s efforts to bring the Argentina national football team, the 2022 FIFA World Cup champions led by Lionel Messi, to Kochi for an international friendly. Then, Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman announced in July 2023 that the Latin American giants would probably play two exhibition matches in Kochi in 2025, triggering widespread excitement in the football-crazy State.
The proposed visit was repeatedly postponed before hopes were finally dashed when the itinerary released by the Argentina Football Association (AFA) in May 2025 did not feature a stop in Kerala or anywhere else in India. Following the Congress-led United Democratic Front’s rise to power, Sports Department Special Secretary N. Prasanth investigated the matter and submitted his report earlier this month. At a press briefing on August 14, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan revealed that the report contained “very serious allegations” and that the government was considering a multi-agency investigation.
What does the inquiry report say?
The report has flagged alleged financial irregularities running into crores of rupees and several violations of rules and procedures. It has recommended a probe by competent investigative agencies to uncover possible criminal, financial and regulatory violations and fix responsibility. One of the key issues is a claim by the sponsor of the now-botched visit, Reporter Broadcasting Company (RBC), that it had paid $15 million (₹126 crore at the time) to the AFA. The inquiry, however, found no documentary evidence to establish that the money was actually remitted. There is also no record of a formal agreement between the Kerala government and the AFA, or between the government and the sponsor.
How was the sponsor selected?
Gold and Global, a Kalamassery-based firm, wrote to the government in July 2023 offering to bring the Argentina team to Kerala and meet the entire cost of the visit. Reportedly, the company had been registered just days before it sent the letter and had a capital of only ₹1 lakh. It also allegedly had the same address as RBC, which later emerged as the sponsor. The inquiry report found “serious procedural lapses” in selecting the private company as organiser and sponsor. Mandatory procedures such as inviting expressions of interest and conducting a public tender were allegedly bypassed. The relevant government order on the selection was also not found in the files.
Did the sponsor sign the AFA deal before government approval?
RBC signed an agreement with the AFA on December 20, 2024 — four days before the Sports Department issued an order stating that steps had been initiated to bring the Argentina team to Kerala. The Sports Kerala Foundation, a not-for-profit company under the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, was subsequently appointed to oversee the project, while the sponsor was permitted to organise two exhibition matches. But there was a crucial missing link; neither RBC nor the State government had signed an agreement or memorandum of understanding for the proposed visit. Yet the agreement between RBC and the AFA described the project as being undertaken with the cooperation of the State government. The Sports Department also committed to providing security for the Argentina team, raising questions over who had given such an assurance before formal government approval.
What is missing from the official files?
The inquiry has found significant gaps in the documentary trail. Copies of emails purportedly exchanged from Abdurahiman’s official account with AFA officials Leandro Petersen and Pablo J Diaz have surfaced, but several of them are missing from government files. The report has also flagged the minister’s private secretary for allegedly bypassing senior officials while conveying instructions relating to the proposed visit.
What happened to the match and stadium?
The controversy was not confined to the proposed match. The stadium itself became part of the deal, with the sponsor being allowed to carry out renovation work ahead of the proposed fixture. Argentina was scheduled to play an international friendly at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on November 25, 2025. The match, however, was called off. RBC later claimed that the team would visit during the March 2026 international window, but went silent thereafter. The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) also came under fire for handing over the stadium to the sponsor for renovation allegedly in violation of prescribed procedures, including the need for an agreement.
RBC returned the stadium on November 28, 2025, initially claiming to have carried out renovations worth ₹70 crore, which was later brought down to around ₹25 crore. The claim later came under scrutiny, with then GCDA chairman K. Chandran Pillai describing the investment as “amorphous” and “subjective”.
What’s sponsor’s version of the allegations?
RBC shot down allegations of financial irregularities as baseless and that they have only improved the stadium at its investment. RBC managing director Anto Augustine claims to have the agreement and proof of payment but declined to disclose them ostensibly due to their ‘non-disclosure’ nature and the ongoing litigation in international court of arbitration. He also challenged to prove that a company called Gold and Global operated from its address. He also shot down the allegation that the GST department has issued a summons to the sponsor seeking ₹22.68 crore in tax in connection with the claimed ₹126-crore transaction.
What happens next?
The Sports Department inquiry has recommended further investigation by the Vigilance and central agencies. Chief Minister V D Satheesan has indicated that the government is considering a multi-agency probe. Such an investigation could examine how the sponsor was selected, the claims surrounding the ₹126-crore payment, whether any funds were actually transferred, the official correspondence, the AFA agreement and the handing over of the stadium.
Published – August 16, 2026 07:28 am IST
