Messi’s Keralam visit row: ED registers money-laundering case

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) into the alleged financial misappropriation linked to the failed attempt to bring the Argentina national football team and its legendary former captain Lionel Messi to Kochi, Keralam, for an international friendly match in 2025.

The Kochi unit of the ED registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against Anto Augustine, the authorised signatory of Reporter Broadcasting Company Private Limited, and the company itself. The ECIR was registered based on the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Kalamassery police on September 15, 2026, at the instance of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Messi row.

The central agency is likely to issue a notice to Mr. Augustine soon for questioning as part of the investigation, according to sources. According to the FIR, the accused entered into a criminal conspiracy before December 20, 2024, when “illegal and fake” details were inserted into the agreement signed with the Argentina Football Association, with the intention of cheating the State government and the public for profiteering.

The FIR further alleged that the accused conspired to gain custody of the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at Kaloor by securing an exemption from the ₹5-crore security deposit on September 26, 2025.

The SIT had carried out searches at five locations linked to the Anto brothers, including their ancestral home in Wayanad. The Excise Department in Wayanad had registered a case and arrested Mr. Augustine following the seizure of 67 litres of liquor, including suspected spurious liquor, from the ancestral house. He was later granted bail by the Kerala High Court.