Lionel Messi’s Kochi visit fabricated to launder black money: Shiyas
Congress leader Mohammed Shiyas has alleged that the proposed visit of Lionel Messi to Kochi was a fabricated event used to facilitate a black money laundering scheme. He has called for an investigation into the financial dealings of the previous state sports administration.
Why it matters
The allegations involve potential corruption and the misuse of public assets in Kerala's sports sector.
The proposed Kochi visit of footballer Lionel Messi was used as a ruse for a massive black money operation with the connivance of the Pinarayi Vijayan government, Ernakulam District Congress Committee president Mohammed Shiyas, MLA, has alleged.
Addressing the media here on Tuesday, he said this was done by fooling sports enthusiasts and the public. He reminded that when he and other Congress leaders highlighted the illegal construction at the stadium, the police under the previous LDF government filed non-bailable cases against them.
The sponsor and others had tried to take over the stadium in Messi’s name. “Who the sponsor is, and who stands behind him, will come out in the coming days,” Mr. Shiyas said.
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