Kochi: The enforcement directorate (ED) will soon register a case to look into the alleged financial irregularities in the failed plan to bring footballer Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team to Keralam. An enforcement case information report will be registered soon by the agency which has begun the proceedings for the inquiry.ED is likely to consider the FIR registered by Kalamassery Police on Sept 15 as the predicate offence for its investigation. The FIR named Anto Augustine and Reporter Broadcasting Company Pvt Ltd — the promoters of Reporter TV — as accused. As per the FIR, the company, its authorised signatory Augustine and others entered into a conspiracy sometime before Dec 20, 2024.The FIR alleged that illegal and false details were added to an agreement made with Argentine Football Association on Dec 20, 2024 with the intention of duping the state govt and the general public. The accused also acted together to get custody of Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi, securing exemption from a Rs 5-crore security deposit on Sept 26, 2025.The FIR was registered under BNS sections related to cheating and criminal conspiracy.Reporter TV’s plan to bring Messi to Keralam had the backing of the previous LDF govt. The company made preparations including renovation works at the Kochi stadium. But a report prepared by Kerala sports department after UDF govt came to power flagged serious procedural and financial lapses in the whole deal, triggering the investigation.The report had recommended examination by central agencies including ED and income tax department. It also flagged a substantial foreign remittance in connection with the proposal and recommended scrutiny of its source, money trail, beneficial ownership and FEMA compliance. The sponsor had previously claimed that it had obtained RBI permission and other statutory clearances.