Argentina football team 'cheated' Kerala by not coming to play: Sports Minister
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Malappuram: Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman on Thursday alleged that the Argentina football team deceived the state by failing to play a scheduled match despite receiving payment for it.
Speaking to a TV channel, the minister said he had earnestly wanted the Argentina team and Lionel Messi to visit Kerala for the match. “For that, I held several discussions. It was not easy to find sponsors to arrange the Rs 250 crore required to pay the international football team. But, after receiving the money, the Argentine football team cheated us. We did not expect such a betrayal from them — not coming after promising to do so,” Abdurahiman said.
The minister added that upon inquiry, he discovered that Argentina had allegedly carried out similar acts with five other countries, taking money but never playing. “This is a situation where a case will have to be filed against the Argentine football team, and they will have to pay compensation,” he said.
Expressing his disappointment, Abdurahiman said, “I was really looking forward to their arrival. Their deception has disappointed football lovers in Kerala and made me sad. I don’t know to whom I should express my disappointment.”
In November last year, the minister had announced that the Argentina football team and Lionel Messi would visit Kerala in March this year.
Separately, on his political plans, Abdurahiman explained his decision to contest the upcoming Assembly elections from Tirur constituency instead of Tanur, where he had previously won twice. “My move is not motivated by seeking a winnable seat. I came to Tirur, my native place, where there is a lack of development and numerous complaints from the people. At the same time, my absence from Tanur will not result in the loss of that seat,” he asserted.
With PTI inputs