The attempt to host Lionel Messi's Argentina in Kerala has encountered major obstacles, primarily stemming from contract cancellations, disputes, and communication breakdowns involving the Kerala government, the Argentine Football Association (AFA), and the Reporter Broadcasting Company Pvt Ltd (RBC).

Contractual Disputes and Financial Obligations

RBC had committed to substantial payments to the AFA, which included a guarantee that Messi would participate for at least 45 minutes, along with exclusive rights for commercialisation of the match broadcast, excluding Latin America. However, the AFA repeatedly terminated the agreement, citing delays in payments. The former Kerala Sports Minister accused the AFA of avoiding its responsibilities for financial gain and failing to update stakeholders regarding FIFA's rejection of the match approval.

Legal Framework and Agreements

The initial agreement was established to facilitate the visit of the AFA, with RBC tasked to organise the match. It was stipulated that any disputes would be resolved under Argentine law, with arbitration handled by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. Following the contract's termination, a new agreement was signed on December 20, 2024, involving key figures from both RBC and the AFA, with witnesses from the Kerala Sports Council and AFA.

The Kerala Department of Sports was designated to manage all protocols related to the team's visit and the international match. Plans included two friendly matches between Argentina and teams ranked within the top 50 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, to be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium and another venue in India.

Payment Structure and Conditions

As part of the agreement, RBC was to pay $9 million to Tourprodenter, the collection agent appointed by the AFA, within three days of signing the contract. This included an initial payment of $5.5 million within 120 days and an additional $5 million due three days after the matches. The AFA provided the necessary bank details for the payments to be made to the Bank of America, with conditions outlined for RBC's financial obligations.

The ongoing issues highlight the complexities and challenges involved in organizing high-profile international matches, particularly when multiple parties are involved and financial commitments are not met.