Published Sep 03, 2026 | 3:29 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 03, 2026 | 3:29 PM
Lionel Messi. Credit: x.com/leomessisite
Synopsis: The preliminary report is understood to have flagged a range of alleged financial and procedural irregularities. These reportedly include large-scale service tax fraud linked to foreign remittances, possible violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, alleged misuse of official authority causing losses to the public exchequer, and suspicious financial dealings involving offshore entities.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has ordered a special investigation into alleged financial irregularities surrounding the proposed visit of football superstar Lionel Messi and his team to Kerala.
A special team led by ADGP (Law and Order) P Vijayan will investigate the case, the Home Minister told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, 3 September.
He said the formal order constituting the team would be issued by Thursday evening.
The decision follows legal advice the government sought on a recommendation to investigate the controversy.
The matter had earlier been referred to the Director General of Prosecution for legal opinion.
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Chennithala said the government decided to constitute a special investigation team after the legal advice highlighted several issues requiring detailed examination.
A huge cutout of Messi erected in a river in Kozhikode, Kerala, during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The investigation team will comprise an ADGP, an SP and a DSP. It has been assigned to conduct a comprehensive probe and submit a report to the government.
The Home Minister said a note provided by the Chief Minister, along with the legal advice received in the matter, would be forwarded to the investigation team.
The team has been asked to start the necessary follow-up as soon as possible and submit its findings.
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Meanwhile, Chief Minister VD Satheesan said during his media briefing after Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting that the complaint filed by the Sports Department regarding Messi’s proposed visit had been forwarded to the Home Department for further action.
A special investigation team is also examining reports of alleged GST irregularities connected with the controversy.
The controversy concerns the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) administration’s failed effort to bring the 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning Argentina football team, led by Lionel Messi, to Kochi for a friendly match in 2025.
Earlier, after the UDF government came to power, the Sports Department launched an inquiry and raised serious allegations that require examination by multiple government departments and investigative agencies.
The preliminary report, scrutinised by Sports Department Special Secretary N Prasanth, is understood to have flagged a range of alleged financial and procedural irregularities. These reportedly include large-scale service tax fraud linked to foreign remittances, possible violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), alleged misuse of official authority causing losses to the public exchequer, and suspicious financial dealings involving offshore entities.
