Messi’s Keralam visit row: ED to register money-laundering case
Kochi unit of ED to register Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act after revelations of financial transactions worth crores in connection with the failed bid
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in India plans to file a money-laundering case against individuals and entities allegedly involved in a failed attempt to bring Lionel Messi and the Argentina national football team to Kochi, Kerala, for a 2025 international friendly match. The ED's Kochi unit will register an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) following revelations of suspicious financial transactions linked to the bid.
The First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Kalamassery police on September 15, 2026, will serve as the basis for the ED's case, which includes charges of cheating and criminal conspiracy against Anto Augustine and the Reporter Broadcasting Private Limited. The alleged conspiracy reportedly involved inserting 'illegal and fake' details into an agreement with the Argentina Football Association to gain custody of the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at Kaloor by securing an exemption from the ₹5 crore security deposit.
Brief written by urgent.news from The Hindu's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
