 "Star forward Lionel Messi in action during Argentina's FIFA World Cup Qualifying match against Peru in Buenos Aires on 19 November, 2014. AP")
Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman on Saturday confirmed that Lionel Messi and his Argentina team will visit India in October-November. This after a section of the media reported that the Argentina team had cancelled their scheduled visit to Kerala due to some payment dispute with the sponsors.
Abdurahiman took to his Facebook account to clear the air on Messi’s potential visit to India. He said that Messi will come and thanked the sponsor, the Reporter Broadcasting Company, for clearing the payment. The Kerala government had earlier announced Messi’s visit to the state, but several reports later suggested that the Argentina team might not come.
Both Abdurahiman and the sponsor, Reporter Broadcasting Company, had strongly rejected the reports then and reiterated that the world champions would play a friendly match in the southern state.
Kerala minister confirms Messi’s visit
While talking to the media on Saturday, Abdurahiman said there was some delay in the payment of the match fee by the sponsor and it is resolved now.
“The sponsor has paid the amount now. There is no other obstacles in this regard. As per the FIFA window, October-November is the time allotted for the world teams to take part in such events. So, the same time is likely to be allotted for us also,” he said.
As per the contract between the sponsor and the Argentina Football Association (AFA), the team management would reach the state after the payment of the match fee and they would announce the date and other details through a joint statement, he said.
While replying to a question, Abdurahiman said it was the sponsor who informed the government about the payment of the match fee and they are yet to get an update from the Argentina team management in this regard.
“The sponsors said they settled the contract amount to be paid before the match. The government has no connection with any financial dealings in this regard. The contract is between the sponsor and the team management,” he said.
The proposed friendly match is more likely to be held at the greenfield stadium here as it meets international standards.
The minister further said the only objective of the government is to instill fresh hopes in the state sports sector by bringing the world champions.
(With agency inputs)