Messi event row: Kerala CM flags GST fraud, lapses in picking private sponsor

Kerala chief minister VD Satheesan has alleged that serious issues, including GST fraud and lapses in selecting the private sponsor, were present in the previous LDF government's efforts to bring Lionel Messi-led Argentina national team to Kerala for a friendly match. The allegations are based on a preliminary inquiry report submitted by the state sports department.

Satheesan stated that the report is being examined and further investigations are warranted. The finance department, which he oversees, will take action to recover any losses in GST collection.

Satheesan also mentioned that a notice was served to the private sponsor, but the inquiry into the matter was frozen. He rejected allegations made by a top official of the private firm that the state government was targeting the company. In 2023, the then sports minister, V Abdurahiman, had claimed that the State government was partnering with the firm to host the Messi-led Argentine side at no cost to the public exchequer.

However, the event did not take place. The inquiry report pointed to several violations, such as the absence of any formal agreement between the Argentina Football Association (AFA), the Kerala government and the private sponsor, restricted formal communications to the sports minister's office, a lack of a transparent tender process before the sponsor was finalized, and service tax fraud on foreign remittances.