Keralam CM announces SIT probe into proposed Lionel Messi & Argentina visit amid ₹126 crore payment controversy
Keralam’s Messi dream faces Special Investigation Team probe.
The Keralam government has officially constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct an investigation into the aborted, highly anticipated proposed visit of the three-time World Cup-winning Argentine national football team led by Lionel Messi to Keralam.
The entire event operations were spearheaded by Reporter TV (Reporter Broadcasting Corporation – RBC) in association with the Keralam Government, which has been working closely with the AFA and FIFA to bring this historic fixture to India.
After months of speculation and doubts, it was officially announced that Messi and his team would play a friendly against Australia at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on the 17th of November. Organisers claimed crores of investments were made in the JLN Stadium, and a huge sum was even paid to the Argentine Football Association for the match.
In December 2025, Messi finally arrived in India. However, ironically, it was for the GOAT Tour. Keralam was not his destination and was never a part of their plans. This unfolded an investigation, and the reports and active criminal investigations have described the planned visit of Lionel Messi to Kerala as a major financial and procedural fraud.
Following this, the ED registered a case under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) to investigate illegal foreign fund transfers and potential money laundering linked to the event’s organisers, and a new SIT has now been constituted by the Home Department.
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An investigation by the Keralam Sports Department revealed there was no legally binding agreement between the state government, RBC, and the AFA.
RBC also claimed to have transferred ₹126 crore to the AFA through a US-based intermediary, but investigators found no banking records or proof that the money was ever received, and the State GST intelligence flagged an unpaid IGST of ₹22.68 crore.
On the 4th of September 2026, the Chief Minister of Keralam, Shri V.D Sateeshan has announced on X that the Home Department has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Shri P Vijayan, IPS.
The other members in the team include S. Sateesh Bino: Inspector General of Police, Internal Security; P. Vikraman: Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch; Shyju P. L. and Mathew: Deputy Superintendents of Police, Crime Branch.
“With the preliminary enquiry report revealing findings sufficiently serious to warrant an investigation beyond the scope of a departmental enquiry, the Home Department has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Shri P Vijayan IPS (ADGP – Law & Order).
The SIT will comprehensively probe the entire transaction concerning the proposed visit of the Argentina National Football Team to Keralam from its inception. Prompt and uncompromising legal action will be initiated wherever violations are revealed under the law.” – Honourable CM of Keralam, Shri V.D. Sateeshan, posted on X.
Daylight scams in the limelight of Sports
The SIT is not just about a failed sports event. It is an investigation into whether the immense popularity of Argentinian football in Keralam was weaponised to facilitate international money laundering or massive tax evasion.
The huge volume of unaccounted money, specifically the ₹126 crore routed through a US-based entity, highlights that bringing Messi to Keralam was never really a part of their plans. It could have potentially been a well-planned large-scale PR stunt or a corporate rivalry, exploiting the fans’ emotional obsession with Lionel Messi and love for the beautiful game of football.
Why has the Keralam government formed an SIT?
The Keralam Home Department constituted an SIT after a preliminary enquiry reportedly uncovered findings serious enough to warrant a broader investigation into the proposed Argentina team’s visit. The organisers reportedly claimed that ₹126 crore was transferred to the Argentine Football Association (AFA) through a US-based intermediary. Investigators, however, reportedly found no banking records confirming that the amount reached the AFA.
Who is heading the SIT?
The Special Investigation Team is headed by P Vijayan, IPS, Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order).
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