The opposition Congress party in Kerala has intensified its call for transparency from the state government following the Argentine Football Association’s (AFA) claim that the world champion team’s planned visit was scrapped due to the Kerala government’s alleged violation of contract terms. The cancellation has stirred a political storm, with accusations of mismanagement and wasted public funds flying thick and fast.
State Sports Minister V Abdurahiman, however, downplayed the controversy, emphasizing that the government’s role was limited. “The contract was between the sponsor and the AFA. We were not a party to it,” he told reporters on Saturday. “Our only interest is to have the Argentina team play in Kerala this year, as agreed, in October or November. If that doesn’t happen, we move on.”
The minister’s comments came in response to sharp criticism from Congress leaders, including KPCC Chief Sunny Joseph and Lok Sabha MP Shafi Parambil. Joseph accused the Left-led government of squandering public resources. “The government must explain this fiasco. Crores of rupees have been spent, and now the AFA has publicly pointed fingers at them,” he said. Parambil echoed this sentiment, alleging that the CPI(M)-led government exploited the public’s love for football icon Lionel Messi for political mileage. “They hyped up the visit to claim credit, but now it’s clear they’ve mishandled the deal,” he said.
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The controversy stems from the state’s ambitious plan to host the Argentine national team, led by Lionel Messi, for an exhibition match in Kerala. The event was touted as a boost for local tourism and a chance to inspire young football talent in the state. Earlier this year, the government announced that a sponsor had paid the match fee, and preparations were underway. However, the AFA’s recent statement, as reported by local media, alleges that Kerala failed to meet contractual obligations, leading to the cancellation.
Adding fuel to the fire, Abdurahiman revealed that the government had prioritized scheduling the event before the 2026 state assembly elections to avoid logistical conflicts. “We’ve done everything in our power to make this happen,” he said, expressing frustration over the situation. “The sponsors fulfilled their financial commitments. Beyond that, what can we do?”
The Congress, however, isn’t letting the issue slide. Parambil demanded a detailed breakdown of the funds spent, questioning the government’s accountability. “Keralites deserve to know how their money was used and why this high-profile event fell apart,” he said.
As the debate rages on, football fans across the state are left disappointed, with the dream of seeing Messi play on Kerala’s soil fading fast. The government now faces mounting pressure to clarify its role and address the financial and reputational fallout.
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