Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Kerala Flags ₹22 Crore Loss in Messi Visit Row
Lionel Messi and the Argentina football team were expected to visit Kerala for a football match.
The event did not happen, and officials are now examining what went wrong.
Kerala’s Sports Department has completed its examination of the issue.
The government will decide what kind of additional investigation is needed.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan says the alleged problems may have cost the state more than ₹22 crore.
The GST Department is separately investigating possible tax evasion.
It will also examine why an earlier tax notice was put on hold.
Satheesan has questioned how a private company was allowed to make an agreement for the proposed visit.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the Sports Department’s examination of the failed Messi visit plan is complete.
The government will soon decide what further investigation and action are required based on the department’s recommendations.
Satheesan said alleged irregularities caused losses of more than ₹22 crore to Kerala’s state exchequer.
The GST Department has formed an SIT to investigate alleged tax evasion and why an earlier notice was kept in abeyance.
The proposed Argentina-Messi visit to Kochi did not take place after sponsors cited delays in obtaining FIFA permission.
- Who
- Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan, the Sports Department and the GST Department are involved; the proposed visit concerned Lionel Messi and Argentina’s men’s football team.
- What
- The Kerala government is considering further action over alleged financial and procedural irregularities linked to a failed Messi and Argentina team visit, while the GST Department investigates alleged tax evasion.
- When
- Satheesan announced the government’s position on Tuesday after a Cabinet meeting; the proposed visit was associated with the previous LDF government’s tenure.
- Where
- Kerala, with the proposed match venue at Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi.
- Why
- The government says the alleged irregularities caused losses of more than ₹22 crore, while questions have been raised about the agreement with the Argentine Football Association, tax proceedings and the event’s planning.
Government’s position
Critics’ concerns
Further investigation
Government’s position
Satheesan said the Sports Department’s report has been examined and the government will soon decide what investigation and action are required.
Critics’ concerns
Questions have been raised about how a private company was allowed to enter an agreement with the Argentine Football Association and whether its financial capacity, market value and source of funds were examined.
Responsibility for the controversy
Government’s position
Satheesan said the previous LDF government had detected the GST irregularity and issued the earlier notice, and that the government could not simply distance itself from the matter.
Critics’ concerns
The controversy has prompted scrutiny of decisions made during the previous LDF government’s tenure, including the process used to facilitate the proposed tour.
Government employee transfers
Government’s position
Satheesan said the transfers carried out after the UDF government took office were lawful and normal after a change of government, and rejected claims that three people died because of them.
Critics’ concerns
Critics accused the UDF government of carrying out mass transfers and linked three deaths to the transfers, claims Satheesan said he was not aware of.
- Alleged state loss
- More than ₹22 crore
- Proposed visitors
- Lionel Messi and Argentina’s men’s football team
- Proposed venue
- Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kochi
- Sports Department status
- Its examination or inquiry report has been completed and recommendations are being forwarded to the concerned department.
- GST investigation
- The GST Department has constituted a Special Investigation Team.
- Earlier tax notice
- A notice over alleged GST evasion was issued and later kept in abeyance; the reasons will be examined.
- Reported reason for postponement
- Sponsors cited delays in obtaining FIFA permission.
