Kerala: The Koduvalli Municipal Corporation has reiterated that it will not remove the cutouts of Messi, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo installed in the Pullavur river, Kozhikode, Kerala State.
The International Football Federation also shared a picture of the cutouts of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar erected by football fans in the Pullavur River. 'FIFA' shared the picture through Twitter with the caption 'Kerala in FIFA World Cup fever'. Football excitement in Kerala made headlines including the international media when cutouts of world football superstars were installed. Argentina fans installed a cutout of Messi in Pullavur Cherupuzha, Brazil fans installed a bigger cutout of Neymar.
Portugal fans weren't alone either. They also came up with a cutout of Cristiano that beat the previous two. Meanwhile, a controversy arose over the installation of cutouts in the river. Adv. demanding to remove the cutouts of Messi and Neymar, which were installed in violation of the law to obstruct the natural flow of the river. After Adv. Sreejith Perumana lodged an online complaint with the Chathamangalam gram panchayat secretary, the Chathamangalam gram panchayat authorities had instructed the fans to change the cutouts.
#FIFAWorldCup fever has hit Kerala 🇮🇳
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) November 8, 2022
Giant cutouts of Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi popped up on a local river ahead of the tournament.
12 days to go until #Qatar2022 🏆 pic.twitter.com/29yEKQvln5
P.T.A Rahim MLA came forward against this. He said on Facebook that there is no basis in the argument that the cutouts should be removed, and he responded that the argument raised by some people for cheap publicity has no basis and with the joy of football fans for Messi and Neymar.
Meanwhile, Chathamangalam Panchayat President Ghafoor came forward with an explanation that no instructions have been given to remove the cutouts. He also clarified that no notice was issued asking for the change of cutouts.
The fans were of the position that the cutouts would not be changed. Koduvalli municipal council chairman also came forward arguing that the river in Pullavoor is within their limits. The municipality has not received any complaints about cutouts erected by football fans. Even if the complaint is received, the municipality should stand in favor of the football fans. Tests have shown that the cutouts will not cause any damage to the river.
The municipality rejected the suggestion of the District Collector in this regard. Panchayat member AK Majeed said that the cutouts will not be removed and the governing body and the people are united in this regard.
Football fans set up cutouts of football stars in the Pullavur river in Kozhikode on the occasion of the FIFA World Cup.
