World · South & Central Asia · 4 hrs ago
Kerala High Court seeks State response to plea to quash Messi visit FIR
The Kerala High Court has sought the State government’s response to a petition by Anto Augustine, managing director of Reporter TV.
Augustine wants the court to quash an FIR linked to an unsuccessful effort to bring Argentina’s football team to Kerala for an international friendly in 2025, when Lionel Messi was the team’s captain.
The FIR alleges funds were misappropriated in connection with that effort.
Investigators also allege Augustine conspired to add fake details to an agreement with the Argentina Football Association to cheat the State government.
The FIR further accuses him of seeking to occupy Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi without paying a ₹5-crore security deposit.
The allegations have not been established in court, and the High Court has not yet ruled on Augustine’s petition.
The State government is expected to respond to the plea.
The Kerala High Court has sought the State government’s response to Anto Augustine’s petition to quash a First Information Report against him.
The FIR concerns alleged funds misappropriation linked to a failed attempt to bring Argentina’s football team and Lionel Messi to Kerala for an international friendly in 2025.
A Special Investigation Team alleged Augustine conspired to add illegal and fake details to an agreement with the Argentina Football Association to cheat the State government.
The FIR also alleges he conspired to occupy Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi after securing exemption from a ₹5-crore security deposit.
- Who
- The Kerala High Court and Anto Augustine, Managing Director of Reporter TV. The State government has been asked to respond.
- What
- Augustine petitioned to quash an FIR against him linked to alleged funds misappropriation.
- When
- The High Court issued notice on November 9, 2026. The alleged attempt to bring Argentina’s team to Kerala was for a 2025 match.
- Where
- The case is before the Kerala High Court and concerns an attempted match in Kerala, including the stadium in Kaloor, Kochi.
- Why
- Augustine seeks to quash the FIR. The FIR alleges conspiracy involving fake agreement details and a stadium security-deposit exemption.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
An attempt to bring Argentina’s football team and then captain Lionel Messi to Kerala for an international friendly failed.
The FIR alleged Augustine conspired to occupy Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium by securing exemption from a ₹5-crore security deposit.
The Kerala High Court issued notice and sought the State government’s response to Augustine’s petition to quash the FIR.
- Petitioner
- Anto Augustine, Managing Director of Reporter TV
- FIR agency
- Special Investigation Team
- Match attempt
- Argentina’s football team and Lionel Messi; international friendly planned for Kerala in 2025
- Security deposit
- ₹5 crore
- Stadium
- Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kaloor, Kochi