T’puram: State govt has no documents to verify funds transferred by sponsor Reporter Broadcasting Company to bring footballer Lionel Messi to Keralam, minister O J Janeesh informed the assembly on Friday.In response to a question on whether govt had investigated the company’s claim that it paid Rs 126 crore to the Argentine Football Association, Jeneesh said govt had no documents — such as a bank debit advice, SWIFT copy, forms A2, 15CA/15CB, a chartered accountant’s certificate or an official receipt — to confirm the payment.He also said that the special secretary of the sports department had investigated allegations involving financial transactions worth crores of rupees and violations of regulations linked to promises to bring Messi and the Argentina football team to Keralam.“Based on the findings of the investigation report, the home department appointed a special investigation team as the investigating agency through a govt order dated Sept 3, 2026,” the minister said.In response to a question about the foreign trip undertaken by the then sports minister, Janeesh said permission had been granted, through a govt order dated Aug 30, 2024, for a high-level delegation comprising the then sports minister, the then secretary of sports and youth affairs, and the director of sports and youth affairs to visit Spain.He added that all aspects had been included within the scope of the investigation.
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