'Government is not responsible, contract was signed by sponsor'; Minister responds to controversy surrounding Messi's visit to Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman said that the Kerala government is not responsible for the uncertainties surrounding Lionel Messi's visit to Kerala. Addressing recent claims, he dismissed the authenticity of the chat messages attributed to the Argentine Football Association (AFA) marketing head. The minister said that the contract for Messi's visit was signed by the sponsor.

“Like any ordinary Malayali, we hoped to welcome Messi to Kerala. With Malayalis now part of major football teams across India, we wanted to further promote the sport. That’s why we tried to bring him here. We have done everything needed. The sponsor has paid the money. What else do we have to do? We tried to bring him in October or November. If it didn't happen, we will step back. The chat messages that came out are not reliable. The government is not responsible, as the contract was signed by the sponsor," the minister said.

Meanwhile, AFA marketing head Leandro Peterson said it was the Kerala government that breached the contract. More details came out after a journalist communicated with him in Spanish. The journalist asked if it was a breach of contract for the Argentine team to back out of visiting Kerala even after receiving Rs 130 crore from the Kerala sponsor. Peterson replied that it was not so and insisted that the breach was by the Kerala government. It is reported that he did not answer further questions on the matter.