A special investigation team (SIT) of Keralam’s finance department has reported purported tax evasion to the tune of ₹ 25.78 crore in its probe into the proposed visit of Lionel Messi and the World Cup-winning Argentine national football team to the state to play a friendly match.
State sports minister OJ Janeesh told reporters on Thursday that it was clear that there were several procedural lapses. “Additionally, several financial transactions took place. Were there approvals for such transactions? Was the financial stability of the private sponsor examined?
The purported tax evasion by Reporter Broadcasting Corporation, the private sponsor of the Messi visit, amounted to ₹ 25.78 crore, of which ₹ 22.68 crore was IGST not paid on foreign remittances made to the Argentine Football Association (AFA), according to officials.
The truth will soon come out,” said Janeesh.
AFA Fails to Confirm Keralam Match for World Cup Winners
The AFA has not confirmed whether the World Cup-winning team will play in Keralam, despite the sports department’s request to the Union government for permission to hold a match in October 2025. This uncertainty has led to criticism from the UDF and BJP, who have distributed posters blaming the former sports minister and the LDF-led government for raising false hopes among local football fans.
