Keralam Home Ministry has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to inquire into alleged fraudulent activities and financial transactions connected with Argentine football star Lionel Messi’s proposed visit to Kerala in November 2025.
The SIT will be headed by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) P. Vijayan IPS. Officers from the Crime Branch and Vigilance will be part of the team, while more members are expected to be co-opted later.
The investigation will examine the financial transactions, selection of the private sponsor, government decisions and the roles of government officials, private individuals and intermediaries connected with the proposed Messi event.
The inquiry is also expected to examine the role of functionaries of the previous CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, including then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and former Sports Minister V. Abdulrehman.
According to reports, the private sponsor claimed to have transferred Rs 126 crore to an account outside Bharat, purportedly belonging to the Argentine Football Association (AFA), to secure the match. However, inquiries by the state Sports Department reportedly found no banking records or documentary evidence establishing that the AFA had received the money.
Investigations by the GST Department reportedly found that the private sponsor received Rs 206 crore from two overseas financial institutions around the time preparations for the event were being planned. The transactions have raised concerns over possible money laundering and unaccounted funds.
Separately, tax evasion of Rs 22.68 crore and other financial irregularities are suspected in connection with the transactions.
The Director General of Prosecutions had informed the Kerala Home Ministry that there was no legal impediment to proceeding with the constitution of the SIT to inquire into the allegations surrounding the proposed Messi event.
The Home Ministry had sought the advice of the Director General of Prosecutions following apprehensions that the appointment of an SIT could face a legal setback in the absence of an FIR. The SIT has been tasked with examining all aspects connected with what has come to be referred to as the ‘Messi-Gate’ controversy.
The investigation will examine, among other issues:
- The selection of Reporter Broadcasting Company (RBC) as the sponsor.
- The role of intermediaries GoatAd and GoatAd Global LLP.
- Whether the state government incurred any financial loss.
- Whether there was any intervention to grant benefits to private players.
- The sources of funds and sponsorships.
- Financial dealings of people connected with the event.
- Government orders issued in connection with the handling of public assets, permissions and relaxations granted to private parties.
- Contracts between private companies and the Argentina Football Association and Football Australia, including whether the name or machinery of the state government was used.
- The role of government officials, private individuals and intermediaries at various stages.
- The handing over of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi to RBC and its subsequent maintenance.
- Whether a case can be registered in connection with the funding under the Prevention of Corruption Act or any other applicable law.
- The foreign trips undertaken by former Sports Minister V. Abdulrehman.
A preliminary internal inquiry conducted by Sports Department Special Secretary N. Prasanth reportedly found institutional failures in supervision and breaches of protocol at senior levels of the previous LDF government. Allegations of bypassing Constitutional Rules have also emerged.
The findings reportedly indicate that the project was fast-tracked following the direct initiative of then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, former Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman and former Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak IAS.
High-level review meetings were reportedly chaired by the Chief Minister despite procedural shortcomings and the absence of a formal commitment from the Argentina Football Association (AFA).
The SIT will now examine the financial transactions, administrative decisions and alleged irregularities in the proposed Messi visit, along with the roles played by government officials, private companies and intermediaries.
The inquiry comes amid continuing political controversy surrounding the previous LDF government and allegations concerning Pinarayi Vijayan and his family. His daughter Veena Vijayan is facing an ongoing investigation in the Exalogic-CMRL case, while Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids and political attacks by the Opposition have added to the scrutiny surrounding the former Chief Minister.
