Kerala Guv sanctions prosecution of ex-Sports Minister in Messi visit scam
Synopsis
What began as Kerala's dream to host Lionel Messi has unravelled into a multi-agency corruption probe. Governor Om Prakash Mathur's sanction to prosecute ex-Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman is the sharpest escalation yet — with ₹126 crore in alleged overseas transfers and a ₹22.68 crore GST evasion charge now on the table alongside an Enforcement Directorate inquiry into foreign exchange violations.
Key Takeaways
Kerala Governor Om Prakash Mathur on 12 November 2026 sanctioned prosecution of former Sports Minister V.
Abdurahiman in the failed Messi visit case.
The SIT , led by ADGP P.
Vijayan , found alleged irregularities in sponsor selection and event arrangements.
An alleged transfer of ₹126 crore to overseas accounts through a US-based agency — purportedly to the Argentine Football Association — is under scrutiny.
A separate ₹22.68 crore GST evasion allegation has emerged in the probe.
The Enforcement Directorate is also examining possible foreign exchange law violations.
Abdurahiman has denied wrongdoing, stating all efforts were made in good faith.
Kerala Governor Om Prakash Mathur on Thursday, 12 November 2026, granted sanction to prosecute former Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman in connection with alleged corruption surrounding the failed bid to bring football legend Lionel Messi and the Argentina national football team to Kerala in 2024. The Governor's approval was legally necessary because Abdurahiman held ministerial office when the alleged irregularities reportedly took place.
Who Is Named in the Case
Alongside Abdurahiman, three other accused have been identified: his former private secretary C. Sathyapalan, former Kerala Sports Council president U. Sharaf Ali, and Reporter Broadcasting Company (RBC), the event's sponsor. The state government had earlier granted sanction to proceed against Sathyapalan and Sharaf Ali; Thursday's gubernatorial approval completes the loop for the former minister himself.
What the SIT Investigation Found
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by ADGP P. Vijayan, concluded a preliminary inquiry and recommended corruption proceedings after finding alleged irregularities in the selection of RBC as sponsor and in the arrangements made for the proposed visit. Among the most consequential findings is an alleged transfer of ₹126 crore to overseas accounts through a US-based agency, reportedly made as payments to the Argentine Football Association (AFA).
Investigators are additionally scrutinising the circumstances under which the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi was handed over to RBC, the terms of the sponsorship agreements, and a foreign trip undertaken by Abdurahiman in connection with the proposed visit. A separate allegation of ₹22.68 crore in GST evasion has also emerged in the probe.
Enforcement Directorate Also in the Picture
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is independently examining possible violations of foreign exchange laws linked to the overseas fund transfers. The dual-agency scrutiny — SIT on the criminal and corruption side, ED on the foreign exchange front — signals that investigators are treating the financial trail as a central thread in the case.
The Former Minister's Position
Abdurahiman has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that all efforts to bring Messi and the Argentine team to Kerala were made in good faith. The proposed visit had been announced under the previous Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government and was projected as a marquee international sports event for the state; it ultimately never materialised, with the football legend and his team failing to make the trip.
What Happens Next
With the Governor's sanction now in place, formal corruption proceedings against Abdurahiman can be initiated. The SIT probe into financial transactions and foreign exchange compliance is ongoing. The ED's parallel inquiry into overseas fund flows remains active, and the GST evasion angle could draw a third enforcement agency into the picture. The case has evolved from a diplomatic disappointment into a multi-agency investigation touching corruption, tax law, and foreign exchange regulations.
Point of View
But the real test lies in what the SIT can prove about the ₹126 crore overseas transfer — a figure that dwarfs the cost of a single international friendly. That the alleged payments were routed through a US-based agency to the AFA raises the question of due diligence: who authorised the transfers, under what contractual terms, and was there a government audit at any stage? The GST evasion angle and the ED's parallel inquiry suggest investigators believe the financial irregularities may be more systemic than a single bad decision. For the LDF, whose outgoing government was associated with the event, this probe arrives at a politically sensitive moment and will continue to draw scrutiny regardless of which party currently holds power in Thiruvananthapuram.
NationPress
12 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kerala Messi visit corruption case?
It is a corruption and financial irregularities probe stemming from the failed 2024 bid by the then Kerala LDF government to bring Lionel Messi and the Argentina national football team to the state. The event never took place, and a Special Investigation Team subsequently found alleged irregularities in sponsor selection, overseas fund transfers of ₹126 crore, and a separate ₹22.68 crore GST evasion.
Why was the Kerala Governor's sanction needed to prosecute V. Abdurahiman?
Because Abdurahiman held ministerial office when the alleged irregularities reportedly occurred, prosecution requires prior sanction from the Governor under Indian law. The state government had already sanctioned proceedings against two other accused, but the ministerial status of Abdurahiman required this additional executive approval.
Who else is accused in the case?
Along with former Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman, the accused include his former private secretary C. Sathyapalan, former Kerala Sports Council president U. Sharaf Ali, and Reporter Broadcasting Company (RBC), the event's official sponsor. The state government had previously sanctioned proceedings against Sathyapalan and Sharaf Ali.
What financial irregularities are being investigated?
Investigators are probing an alleged ₹126 crore transfer to overseas accounts through a US-based agency, purportedly as payments to the Argentine Football Association. A ₹22.68 crore GST evasion allegation has also emerged. The Enforcement Directorate is separately examining possible violations of foreign exchange laws.
What has V. Abdurahiman said in his defence?
Abdurahiman has denied all wrongdoing, stating that every effort to bring Messi and the Argentine team to Kerala was made in good faith. He has not been formally charged yet; the Governor's sanction is a prerequisite that now allows formal proceedings to begin.
