Kerala CM V D Satheesan To Decide On Messi Event Deal
Kerala’s Messi deal faces uncertainty ahead of the CM’s decision.
The Kerala government is set to examine alleged procedural and financial irregularities surrounding the previous Left Democratic Front government’s failed attempt to bring Lionel Messi and the Argentina football team to the state. The Sports Department’s inquiry report is now before the government, with further action likely to be considered at the weekly Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
The report, prepared by Sports Department Special Secretary N Prashanth, has identified several alleged lapses in the handling of the proposed Argentina visit. These include the selection of the event sponsor, financial transactions linked to the proposed match and the manner in which the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kaloor was handed over for the planned event.
According to the inquiry, established government procedures were allegedly not followed while selecting the sponsor, while government machinery was used to facilitate the interests of the company involved. The report has also questioned the transparency of financial dealings associated with the proposed event and found that the assurance of Argentina’s visit was not supported by authentic documentation.
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The inquiry further noted that the process was advanced rapidly without securing mandatory approvals. An international football match involving Argentina would have required FIFA registration and other clearances, including approval from the All India Football Federation. The report also flagged possible violations related to international agreements and noted that approvals from the Law and Finance departments had not been obtained.
The role of former Sports Minister V Abdurahiman has come under particular scrutiny. The report states that key decisions concerning the proposed event were taken by the former minister without following prescribed procedures, while correspondence related to the plans was allegedly handled directly by him. The inquiry has recommended a detailed investigation into those involved and scrutiny of the former minister’s official travel records and email communications connected with the episode.
The handing over of the Kaloor stadium has also been questioned, with the report noting that authorities were not provided a clear indication of when the proposed match would take place. It further flagged the absence of FIFA registration, required departmental approvals, insurance coverage and a bank guarantee when the stadium was allegedly handed over. The proposed Messi and Argentina visit had generated substantial public excitement in Kerala, but the event ultimately failed to materialise, prompting the latest government scrutiny.
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