Former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's assertion that he had little knowledge of the controversial Messi deal is facing renewed pressure after official records revealed that his government actively intervened on behalf of private sponsor Reporter Broadcasting Corporation (RBC) in a dispute with the Argentine Football Association (AFA). The disclosure has sharpened the Crime Branch investigation and prompted the current government to launch what it describes as a comprehensive review of the episode.

The Damaging Letter

At the centre of the fresh controversy is a July 7, 2025 letter sent by the Kerala Sports Department Secretary to the Indian Ambassador in Argentina. The letter sought urgent diplomatic intervention to persuade the AFA to waive compensation imposed on RBC for delayed payment of its fee. It warned that Argentina's withdrawal would cause financial difficulties to the State, damage the government's reputation, and create hurdles in future fund mobilisation.

Notably, the letter described the proposed Argentina visit as a 'tripartite arrangement' involving the State government, the private sponsor, and the AFA — a characterisation that directly contradicts Vijayan's earlier stance of limited involvement. When asked about the disclosure on Wednesday, Vijayan responded with his characteristic laughter and his stock statement: 'Let the things come out.'

What the Current Government Said

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Thursday confirmed that the government was seriously examining the Messi episode after a preliminary report pointed to grave errors and GST-related issues. He said the agreement with the AFA had been handed to a private company without an Expression of Interest, and that the State appeared to have been kept in the dark about key arrangements.

Satheesan added that the Finance Department would take steps to recover any loss to the exchequer. The role of former Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman and his office — along with alleged procedural violations in the advance handover of the Kaloor stadium without clearances from the Finance and Law Departments — is also expected to come under scrutiny.

A Contradictory Paper Trail

The controversy has taken a curious turn: while the previous government reportedly issued a show-cause notice to the sponsor RBC, it was simultaneously seeking diplomatic assistance to shield the same sponsor from AFA penalties. This dual posture — punitive on paper, protective through back channels — is now a focal point for investigators.

The use of official diplomatic channels to help a private company resolve a contractual dispute with a foreign sports body could become a critical element of the Crime Branch probe, according to reports.

What the Investigation Could Uncover

With the Crime Branch probe set to examine the full transaction, the central question has shifted. It is no longer merely about who knew about the Messi deal, but who acted to protect it — and why. Investigators are expected to scrutinise the decision-making chain within the Sports Department, the circumstances of the Kaloor stadium handover, and the financial trail involving RBC and the AFA.

As the probe deepens, the political cost for the previous Left Democratic Front government is likely to rise, with accountability questions now extending well beyond the former Chief Minister's office.