Kochi: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has registered a case in connection with illegal financial transactions to organise a failed football event involving legendary footballer Lionel Messi and others in Kerala in 2025 during the LDF rule.The ED has registered the case under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) to probe into suspected andfinancial irregularities and illegal foreign remittances pertaining to bring footballers led by Messi to Kerala, media reports said. Investigators alleged that the primary sponsor, Reporter Broadcasting Company, allegedly transferred an amount of over ₹126 crore to a US based intermediary without valid agreements or proof of payment to the Argentina Football Association (AFA).The Kerala GST Department is also probing suspected service tax evasion and tracing large wire transfers linked to Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).
ED registers case in football scam
