THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The promise of seeing Lionel Messi and the Argentina football team in Kerala has now turned into a political and administrative controversy, with the state government announcing an investigation into claims that people were “betrayed and misled” about the proposed visit.Kerala Tourism and Culture Minister P C Vishnunadh on Thursday said the probe would be based on a report submitted by the Sports Department and would examine the circumstances surrounding the claims.“There is a feeling that people of Kerala were betrayed. They misled people by claiming that Messi will come. So, there is going to be an investigation based on the report of the Sports Department.“The investigation will be in accordance with law. There will be nothing unlawful about the probe,” Vishnunadh said.The development comes a day after state Sports Minister O J Janeesh indicated that the government would investigate the matter.Janeesh had also rejected claims made by former minister V Abdurahiman and alleged that government machinery had been misused to facilitate financial gains for a private individual.Abdurahiman, however, has denied the allegations.He maintained that the LDF government had followed all prescribed procedures while attempting to bring the Argentina national team to Kerala for a friendly match.The latest announcement means the proposed Argentina visit, which had generated considerable public interest among football fans in Kerala, will now be examined by the authorities based on the Sports Department’s report.(With PTI inputs)
