Kochi: Former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of CPM on Wednesday downplayed the alleged scam to bring Lionel Messi and Argentina team to Kerala accusing Congress-led government’s move to cover its failures.
Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan of CPM accused the Congress-led government and the right-wing corporate media of using the allegations to mask the government’s failure to tackle floods.
The government supported a sponsor’s proposal which failed to take off in 2025, Pinarayi said, adding that it was not party to any agreement between the private sponsor and the Argentine Football Association.
When asked about LDF Sports Minister Abdurahiman’s visit to Spain to transact with the AFA at the “sponsor’s behest”,
Pinarayi said the minister did not require a contractual agreement with any entity to travel abroad.
The government’s move to order an anti-corruption enquiry into the “failed” scheme has unnerved the Left front led by Pinarayi.
After an official probe by the Kerala government exposing the multi-crore fraud and procedural lapses in connection with the plan, the former Chief Minister has accused the Congress-led government to be vindictive, media reports said.
The probe report, submitted to Sports Minister O J Janeesh, unearths violations of rules, unverified transactions, absence of agreements, among others as part of the plan to bring Messi and Argentina team to play an Exhibition match in Kerala.
Pinarayi defends LDF govt’s plans on Messi
