THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Explosive official documents have surfaced exposing deep contradictions and raising serious transparency concerns over the Kerala Government’s failed or tangled initiative to bring Lionel Messi and the world champion Argentina Football Team to Kerala.
1. The Assembly Denial (No MoU Signed)
In an official response (Unstarred Question No. 1221, dated September 18, 2025) in the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly, Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman was specifically asked by MLA Najeeb Kanthapuram whether a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) had been signed between the State Government and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) for the proposed football match.
The Minister explicitly answered: “No” (“ഇല്ല”), confirming that no MoU existed between the Government of Kerala and AFA.
Furthermore, the reply revealed that:
Reporter Broadcasting Company Private Limited (RBC) was assigned as the sole official sponsor vide Government Order G.O.(Rt) No. 10/2025/S.Y.A dated January 7, 2025.
Sports Kerala Foundation was designated as the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to oversee the visit.
2. The Secret Contractual Obligation Revealed
However, official government email records dated October 18, 2025 reveal a completely different picture.
In a direct email sent from the Minister’s official email address (min.sports@kerala.gov.in) to the AFA Presidency (presidencia@afa.org.ar), Minister V. Abdurahiman registered a “Strong Objection to AFA’s Attempted Repudiation of the Kerala Match Agreement.”
In this letter, the Minister asserts:
”…unjustly shifting blame upon the sponsor and disregarding the Government of Kerala’s full and documented compliance with its contractual obligations.”
Key Questions Raised:
Which Contract is the Minister Referring To?
If the Minister officially declared on the floor of the Legislative Assembly that no MoU/agreement exists between the Kerala Government and AFA, what is the “Government of Kerala’s contractual obligation” referenced in the October 18 email?
Tripartite or Secret Agreement?
Was there a secret tripartite agreement signed behind closed doors involving the Sports Ministry / Sports Kerala Foundation, private sponsor Reporter Broadcasting Company (RBC), and AFA without informing the Assembly?
Misleading the House?
If a legally binding agreement placing financial, diplomatic, or legal obligations on the Government of Kerala was executed, denying its existence in the Assembly raises serious legal and parliamentary privilege concerns.
