Story so far:
Then, Sports Minister V. 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. 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 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. Following the Congress-led United Democratic Front’s rise to power, Sports Department Special Secretary N. 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. 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. It also allegedly had the same address as RBC, which later emerged as the 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. 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.
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. At a press briefing on August 14, Chief Minister V.D. 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. 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.
Satheesan revealed that the report contained “very serious allegations” and that the government was considering a multi-agency investigation. The inquiry report found “serious procedural lapses” in selecting the private company as organiser and sponsor.
Prasanth investigated the matter and submitted his report earlier this month.
What happens next?
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. 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.