Thiruvananthapuram, November 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Former Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman is set to face corruption proceedings over the failed attempt to bring football legend Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team to Kerala, after Governor Om Prakash Mathur on Thursday granted sanction to proceed against him.
The Governor’s approval marks a significant development in the controversy surrounding the proposed visit, announced under the previous Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government in 2024. Despite repeated assurances, Messi and the Argentine team never visited the state.
Abdurahiman’s former private secretary C. Sathyapalan, former Kerala Sports Council president U. Sharaf Ali and event sponsor Reporter Broadcasting Company (RBC) have also been named in the case. The state government had earlier granted sanction to proceed against Sathyapalan and Sharaf Ali. The Governor’s approval was required in Abdurahiman’s case as he was a minister when the alleged irregularities took place.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by ADGP P. Vijayan recommended corruption proceedings against the former minister and others after its preliminary investigation reportedly found irregularities in the selection of the sponsor and arrangements for the proposed visit.
The probe is examining financial transactions linked to the event, including an alleged transfer of Rs 126 crore to overseas accounts through a US-based agency in the name of payments to the Argentine Football Association (AFA).
The role of RBC, sponsorship agreements and the circumstances under which the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi was handed over to the company are also under scrutiny. A separate allegation of Rs 22.68 crore in GST evasion has emerged.
The SIT is further examining Abdurahiman’s foreign trip in connection with the proposed visit and whether government procedures were violated while selecting the sponsor and extending facilities to it. The Enforcement Directorate is also looking into possible violations of foreign exchange laws.
The former minister has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that all efforts to bring Messi and the Argentine team to Kerala were made in good faith.
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