Kerala orders SIT probe into failed Argentina football team visit plan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : The Kerala Chief Minister’s Office has approved the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate alleged irregularities surrounding the failed attempt to bring Argentina’s national football team to the state, according to officials.

The file recommending the SIT has been forwarded to the Home Department, which is expected to issue an order naming the members of the investigation team and setting out the scope of the probe.

The decision followed a report submitted by N. Prasanth, Special Secretary in the Sports Department, officials said.

The investigation will examine possible violations of service rules and the financial code, along with other issues identified in the report. It will also scrutinise renovation work undertaken at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kaloor, Kochi.

The move comes as a separate investigation by the State Goods and Services Tax Department examines alleged tax irregularities involving Reporter Broadcasting Corporation (RBC), which was involved in efforts to bring the Argentine team to Kerala.

A preliminary report by the GST investigation team found that some officials had intentionally delayed processing files linked to a tax demand against RBC, allegedly under political pressure, according to an official associated with the investigation.

The issue relates in part to reverse-charge tax obligations connected with the import of services.

The GST Department has also issued notices to two financial institutions that transferred a combined ₹206 crore to RBC as part of payments intended for the Argentine Football Association (AFA), according to the report.

One institution has responded and has been asked to provide additional documents, while the other has indicated it will submit its records this week.

Authorities are separately examining reverse-charge liabilities linked to legal fees paid by RBC in an ongoing tribunal case seeking the return of money paid to the AFA.

The latest SIT will have a broader mandate to examine the circumstances surrounding the proposed Argentina visit, including administrative and financial decisions connected with the project.