Legal Threat Issued Against Organizers of Messi Tour in Kerala
Argentina's much-anticipated football tour to India, scheduled for October 2025, has been cancelled. The Argentina Football Association (AFA) has pulled out of the deal, citing travel difficulties and scheduling conflicts.
The commercial partner of the Kerala government, United World Sports Group (UWSG), has issued a legal warning about the potential cancellation, suggesting that Argentina could face harsh penalties or settlement discussions if contracts were breached.
The Kerala Sports Minister confirmed the AFA's reasons for cancelling the October visit, stating that the team had issues with travel and scheduling. However, the sponsor was unwilling to host the team at any other time, complicating any potential rescheduling.
The Kerala government had spent public funds on official trips to invite Lionel Messi and his team, leading to criticism and political controversy after the cancellation.
Despite the cancellation, Messi and the Argentina team are still scheduled to tour four other Indian cities—Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and New Delhi—in December 2025. This tour includes football-related events and a planned meeting between Messi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
UWSG has started marketing campaigns, sold sponsorship packages, and made agreements with venues for Argentina's tour. The organisation has also made strategic financial commitments for the event's planning and logistics, and a cancellation would cause heavy financial damages and reputational damage.
UWSG is insisting on an immediate confirmation from the AFA to prevent further disruptions, highlighting the signed agreements and commitments made for marketing and infrastructure in Kerala. The AFA has not yet issued an official statement, but unnamed sources claim issues regarding player availability and international travel fatigue.
The cancellation of the October tour has left one of the most-awaited football matches in India's sporting calendar in limbo. The Kerala government, UWSG, and the AFA's response will determine the fate of this highly anticipated event.
Initially, the tour was expected to be an elating sporting moment for India and a rare opportunity for fans to watch their World Cup-winning team play on home soil. Kerala Tourism had planned cultural events, tourism promotions, and school outreach programs around the match.
The cancellation of the October tour has also affected ticket sales, as there was significant hype across the country, with tickets expected to sell out within hours of release. The AFA's response will be closely watched to see if the tour can be rescheduled or if legal disputes over contractual obligations and breach of contract claims will ensue.
- The cancellation of Argentina's football tour to India in October 2025 has left the much-anticipated football match in India's sporting calendar uncertain, especially considering the commercial partner, United World Sports Group (UWSG), has started marketing campaigns, sold sponsorship packages, and made agreements with venues for the tour.
- With Argentina still scheduled to tour four other Indian cities in December 2025, there are suggestions that Messi and the team could face harsh penalties or settlement discussions if they breach contracts related to their October visit, as the tour was initially expected to be an elating sporting moment for India and a rare opportunity for fans to watch the World Cup-winning team play on home soil.
