The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has firmly denied reports that its president Claudio Tapia and treasurer Pablo Toviggino were detained and questioned by US authorities upon leaving the United States after the World Cup final. In a statement, the AFA dismissed the allegations as completely unfounded, labeling them 'all lies.'
Reports of Detention at US Airport
Media reports had claimed that Tapia and Toviggino were detained at an airport before boarding the flight transporting the national squad home following Argentina's loss to Spain on Sunday. The pair were reportedly questioned and had their electronic devices seized by US authorities, before being summoned to appear in court regarding AFA's international contracts.
AFA's Official Response
However, the AFA's official statement denied all of these claims. The association did, however, acknowledge a US investigation into a third party with links to the association. According to the AFA, a district court has issued a summons targeting this individual, who is being asked to appear before a grand jury and present any documents and communications that may be related to various individuals, including officials of the federation.
Ongoing Investigations into AFA
The AFA, headed by football heavyweight Tapia since 2017, is currently the subject of several domestic investigations involving allegations of money laundering and tax evasion. Under Tapia's leadership, relations between the federation and the administration of President Javier Milei have grown increasingly strained, particularly over strong opposition to plans regarding the privatization of football clubs across the country.
Impact on Argentina-US Relations
The denial comes amid heightened scrutiny of the AFA's financial dealings. While the US investigation appears to focus on a third party, the association's leadership remains under pressure both domestically and internationally. The AFA has not commented further on the nature of the US investigation or the identity of the individual summoned.
