India, Oct. 27 -- Football fans in India were disappointed recently as Lionel Messi's visit to Kerala in November this year got postponed, as revealed by the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and the event's sponsor. Messi and the Argentine team were slated to play a friendly match in Kochi, against Australia on 17 November. The postponement has raised question marks in Kerala, with the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) alleging that the event is a 'cover for a dubious financial deal'.

Congress MP Hibi Eden made the claim in connection with the renovation of the JLN International Stadium in Kochi, which was undertaken in preparation for the match.

The JLN Stadium, owned by the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), a bod...