Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 2026 : The Kerala government is set to examine alleged procedural and financial irregularities surrounding the previous Left Democratic Front government’s unsuccessful effort to bring football superstar Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team to the state, with a Sports Department inquiry report now submitted for consideration.
The matter is likely to come up for discussion at the weekly Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, where the government may decide on further action based on the findings of the report prepared by Sports Department Special Secretary N. Prashanth.
The inquiry has flagged several alleged lapses in the manner in which the proposed Argentina visit was pursued. These include the selection of the event sponsor, financial transactions linked to the proposed match and the handing over of the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at Kaloor for the proposed event.
According to the report, established government procedures were allegedly not followed while selecting the sponsor. It has also alleged that government machinery was used in a manner that facilitated the interests of the company associated with the proposed event.
The inquiry has raised questions over the transparency of financial transactions related to the proposed visit and match. More significantly, it found that the assurance that the Argentina team would actually visit Kerala was not supported by authentic documentary evidence.
The report also points to the speed with which the proposal was pursued, alleging that established procedures were bypassed to advance the plan.
For an international football match involving the Argentina national team to be held in Kerala, several mandatory approvals and clearances would have been required. These include FIFA registration and approval from the All India Football Federation. However, the inquiry has noted that the process moved forward without the necessary approvals.
Possible violations relating to international agreements have also been flagged, adding another dimension to the controversy.
The role of former Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman has come under particular scrutiny. The report states that several key decisions were taken during his tenure and alleges that prescribed procedures were not followed. It further points out that correspondence related to the proposed Argentina event was handled directly by the former minister.
The inquiry has recommended a detailed investigation into the officials and others involved in the process. It has also called for scrutiny of the former minister’s official travel records and email communications connected with the proposed event to establish how decisions were taken and communicated.
The handing over of the Kaloor stadium has emerged as another major concern in the report. According to the findings, the authorities were not provided with a clear indication of when the proposed match would actually take place.
The inquiry has also noted the absence of FIFA match registration and approvals from the Law and Finance departments. Despite these gaps, the stadium was allegedly handed over without basic financial safeguards, including adequate insurance coverage or a bank guarantee.
The controversy relates to the much-publicised proposal to bring Messi and the reigning world champions Argentina to Kerala. The prospect generated tremendous excitement among football fans across the state, where Argentina enjoys a massive following.
The proposed visit was widely viewed as a landmark opportunity for Kerala to host one of the world’s most celebrated football teams. However, the event ultimately failed to materialise, leaving questions over the manner in which the proposal was handled.
The Sports Department report has now brought the alleged procedural, financial and administrative lapses into focus. The Cabinet’s decision on Wednesday is expected to indicate whether the government will order a broader investigation or initiate action based on the inquiry findings.
