The Kerala government has completed its inquiry into the controversy over the proposed visit of football superstar Lionel Messi and the Argentina team to the state and has submitted the report for further action.Sports Minister O J Janeesh said on Monday that the report was prepared by the Sports Department Special Secretary after examining the available files. However, he said the findings would not be made public yet as the report is confidential.“The report has been submitted to the government in a highly confidential manner. I can divulge only this much at the moment. The government will take an appropriate decision on it and inform everyone,” he said.The inquiry was ordered after repeated questions from football fans and the media about why the earlier government’s much-publicised plan to bring Messi and Argentina to Kerala never happened.“Football lovers had also demanded an inquiry. When we conducted necessary examinations, we felt that further investigation was required,” Janeesh said.
What the inquiry looked into
The Sports Department also examined whether the required rules and procedures for bringing an international football team or player to India had been followed. Reports have claimed the inquiry found serious issues, including the alleged absence of a clear agreement for bringing Messi and Argentina to Kerala. Janeesh, however, refused to comment on the findings or financial details.The controversy began during the tenure of former Sports Minister V Abdurahiman, who had repeatedly announced that Messi and the Argentina team would visit Kerala. He had said that the necessary permissions had been obtained and that the sponsor had paid the proposed match fee.The visit eventually did not happen, with Abdurahiman later saying Argentina had cited difficulties in travelling to Kerala at the scheduled time.
Former minister rejects allegations
Abdurahiman has rejected the allegations, saying the government followed all required procedures and did not suffer even a “single rupee” loss. He said the agreement was between the Argentina Football Association and a private sponsor, meaning the government had no financial liability.“Therefore, the claim that the Sports Department was unaware of the proceedings is completely false,” Abdurahiman said.He said a private sponsor was used because football associations are private bodies.“That is why a private sponsor was brought in. AFA had also conveyed its preference for such an arrangement,” he said.Janeesh said the government’s larger goal was not simply to bring Messi to Kerala but to create “many Messis” by developing football talent in the state.
