Messi-led Argentina’s friendly match in Kochi postponed

KOCHI: The dream of hosting Lionell Messi and his Argentina football team in Kerala has been shattered. This has disappointed his fans all over the state. The sponsor of the programme had informed that the friendly match scheduled to be held in Kochi next month has been postponed.

It was earlier announced that the Messi-led Argentina team would play a friendly match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on November 17. The event's sponsor, Anto Agustin and the state sports department had jointly informed this.

However, Anto Agustin via a Facebook post informed that the match will not be held next month as FIFA has not given permission to conduct the match here. He said when the next match will be held will be announced soon. According to Argentina media reports, Argentina will only play a friendly match in Angola in November.

Meantime, the Australian team, which was scheduled to be the opponents of the Argentina team, has also withdrawn from the match.