# Kerala CM says serious lapses in failed Messi visit, probe next 2026-08-13T01:40:36+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Thursday said the sports department's report on the failed 2023 plan to bring Lionel Messi and the Argentina team to the state contains 'very serious allegations'. Speaking after a cabinet meeting, he said the government is examining the report and will decide on further investigation soon. State sports minister O J Janeesh had submitted the confidential report to the CM on Wednesday. The report highlights that the first sponsor firm, GoatAd, was registered just 20 days before approaching the government and had a capital of only Rs 1 lakh. It also flags the absence of proof that the eventual sponsor, RBC, paid Rs 126 crore to the Argentina Football Association. Former sports minister V Abdurahiman, who championed the event, denies all wrongdoing, saying rules were followed and no public money was lost. The report recommends a probe by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau or a special police team. ## Coverage - hindustantimes.com - hindustantimes.com - newindianexpress.com Tags: Argentina team visit, inquiry report, Kerala sports department, Lionel Messi, probe, V Abdurahiman Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/probe-into-failed-messi-visit-to-kerala-submitted-to-cm/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/probe-into-failed-messi-visit-to-kerala-submitted-to-cm/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.