THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A damning official inquiry report into the proposed visit of World Cup winner Lionel Messi and the Argentina national football team to Kerala has unearthed widespread procedural violations, financial irregularities, and administrative misconduct. The inquiry exposes how a private entity—Reporter Broadcasting Corporation (RBC), headed by Managing Director Anto Augustine—was granted illegal patronage and government backing for an international event without basic diligence, legal scrutiny, or valid agreements.
The report calls for comprehensive investigations by central and state agencies, including the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax Department, and the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) / Registrar of Companies (ROC).
Key Findings of the Official Investigation Report
​Brochure Passed Off as Binding Commitment: The Argentine Football Association (AFA) document presented to the public and union government was merely a commercial requirement sheet or brochure, not a legally binding agreement.
False Claims to Central Government: Official communications were sent to the Union Government asserting the visit of Argentina’s official World Cup squad despite having no signed contract, FIFA/AIFF approvals, or player commitments.
Bypassing Financial Controls (₹210 Crore Budget): The total project cost was estimated at ₹210 crore with match fees alone at ₹198 crore. The state administration bypassed the Finance and Law Departments, violating Article 40 of the Kerala Financial Code and the Secretariat Manual.
Illegal Favors & Stadium Handover: Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium (Kaloor, Kochi) was handed over to RBC without security deposits, rent, tax payments, or damage insurance—resulting in an estimated loss exceeding ₹5 crore.
Suspicious Foreign Remittances ($15 Million): A sum of $15 million (approx. ₹130 crore) was reportedly remitted abroad through a third-party intermediary, TourProdEnter LLC. The transaction lacked SWIFT, Form 15CA/15CB, or FEMA verification, exposing the state to serious money laundering and regulatory risks.
Neglect of Local Sports: While government machinery was illegally diverted to support a private commercial venture, basic dues exceeding ₹11 crore owed to local Kerala athletes remained unpaid.
Recommended Agency Actions
​VACB / SIT: To probe criminal misconduct, illegal tender waivers, unauthorized stadium modifications, and corruption involving political executives and senior bureaucrats.
​Enforcement Directorate (ED): To track the $15 million foreign money trail, offshore entity beneficial ownership, and FEMA/PMLA violations.
​Income Tax & CBDT: To inspect TDS liabilities, grossing-up calculations, DTAA benefits, and unaccounted sponsorship funds collected from gold and silver merchants.
​ROC / MCA / SFIO: To investigate the corporate network of RBC, GoatAd Global LLP, and potential shell conduit arrangements.
​Departmental & Legal Action: Action under AIS Rules (Rule 6) against retired top officials, including former Chief Secretaries and Sports Department executives, for gross dereliction of duty.
​The report concludes that the highly publicized “Messi to Kerala” initiative was a “fairly messy affair” that misused government credibility to confer unwarranted commercial status on private operators while leaving public assets exposed to severe legal liabilities.
