Argentine FA Under Money Laundering Probe, World Cup Exclusion Feared

A new judicial scandal has erupted in Argentina, targeting the Argentine Football Association (AFA). Authorities have carried out a series of extensive raids, including the AFA headquarters, several clubs, and properties suspected of being linked to prominent football officials, as part of investigations into alleged corruption and money laundering.

According to investigation details revealed by the Argentine newspaper "La Nación," judicial authorities confiscated financial and administrative documents, along with electronic devices. These are believed to potentially uncover unexplained money trails and suspicious relationships between the AFA and private financing companies. The probe is particularly focusing on the inner circle of AFA President Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia, though no formal charges have been brought against him yet.

The raids encompassed over thirty locations, including the headquarters of clubs in both the first and second divisions, in what local media described as "the broadest judicial operation targeting Argentine football in recent years." The investigation also extended to private properties in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, where luxury assets and expensive cars were found, further intensifying suspicions regarding their funding sources.

In a significant development, judicial authorities decided to transfer the case to a court specializing in economic crimes. Observers view this as an indicator of the case's complexity and financial sensitivity, especially given the intertwining of sporting, economic, and political dimensions.

Courts are investigating the ownership of a vast 100,000-square-meter property, which includes a helicopter pad, a horse farm, and over 50 classic cars. These represent substantial expenses, especially since the property is registered under the names of a retiree and a self-employed individual, who appear to be managing it as a front. For this reason, courts are probing the true ownership.

This investigation threatens the Argentine national team's participation in the 2026 World Cup. "La Nación" newspaper stated: "FIFA, the governing body of football, does not welcome government interference in the affairs of national associations and may exclude the Argentine national team from the upcoming World Cup."