Messi’s visit to Kerala: ED registers money laundering case

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

The Kochi unit of ED has registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against Ant Augustin, the authorized signatory of Reporter Broadcasting Company Private Limited, and the company itself. The ECIR was registered on the basis of a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Kalamassery police on 15 September 2026 at the behest of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Messi controversy.

The central agency is likely to issue a notice for questioning to Mr. Augustine soon 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 false” details were inserted in the agreement signed with the Argentine Football Association with the intention of defrauding the state government and the public for profit.

The FIR further alleged that the accused conspired to obtain custody at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kaloor by securing a security deposit waiver of ₹5 on 26 September 2025.

The SIT conducted searches at five places linked to the Ant brothers, including their ancestral home in Wayanad. The Excise Department in Wayanad registered a case and arrested Mr. Augustin after seizing 67 liters of liquor, including suspected adulterated liquor, from the ancestral house. He was later granted bail by the Kerala High Court.

Published – 07 Nov 2026 10:24 IST