Buenos Aires – The Argentine Football Association (AFA) is facing one of the most serious crises in its history, with allegations of corruption, money laundering, and bribery swirling around current president Claudio Tapia and other high-ranking officials. A recent investigation by the Argentine newspaper La Nación has brought to light a network of financial irregularities spanning several years.
The investigation details how funds were allegedly transferred to Tapia between 2020 and 2022, often delivered in cash – in envelopes, packages, or boxes – to AFA headquarters on Viamonte Street or the Ezeiza training center. These allegations come at a sensitive time, as Argentina prepares to co-host the inaugural Continental Cup, a tournament featuring the champions of South America and Europe.
A WhatsApp message dated September 24, 2021, is cited as key evidence. According to La Nación, the message reads: “Tapia asked me for 300,000 pesos. A package like this was left at the door of the Armed Forces headquarters.” This message is now part of the judicial investigation’s files, suggesting a deliberate attempt to conceal financial transactions.
In many instances, the transfer of funds appears to have been organized directly. Another message reportedly shows Pablo Toviggino, the AFA treasurer, instructing an intermediary to deliver $40,000 USD to Tapia, requesting the amount be brought to the Air Force training center before noon. This level of detail points to a systematic operation, raising serious questions about the financial oversight within the AFA.
Initial investigations have identified at least seven payments, in both pesos and US dollars, between 2020 and 2022. Transfers reportedly occurred at various times, including July 2020, three times in 2021, and once in early 2022. The scale and frequency of these transactions are central to the ongoing inquiry.
Investigators suspect that this financial flow is linked to the diversion of funds intended for the national team. Allegedly, money from sponsors like Adidas and Coca-Cola was channeled through shell companies before returning to certain AFA leaders through a system of falsified invoices. This alleged scheme suggests a deliberate effort to misappropriate funds earmarked for the development and support of Argentine football.
The investigation has also implicated several intermediaries, including Juan Pablo Becón. A raid on a villa in Villa Rosa, Pilar, resulted in the seizure of 45 luxury vehicles and other valuable assets. This discovery underscores the potential scale of the alleged illicit enrichment.
A video, reportedly lasting approximately ten minutes, allegedly shows Becón counting $115,600 USD before placing the money into paper envelopes. According to La Nación, the video was recorded to prevent the loss of funds within the group. The existence of this video adds another layer of complexity to the investigation and suggests a concerted effort to manage and conceal large sums of money.
Claudio Tapia, who has led the AFA since 2017, has not yet publicly addressed the specific allegations detailed in the La Nación report. Though, the Argentine judicial authorities are continuing their investigation. On February 20, 2026, a court prohibited Tapia from leaving the country while investigating allegations of tax evasion, according to reports from Al Arabiya. The court is investigating whether the AFA illegally retained pension contributions from players and staff and evaded taxes between March 2024 and September 2025.
The timing of these allegations is particularly sensitive, coming shortly before the Continental Cup, a tournament co-hosted by Argentina and Spain under the auspices of CONMEBOL and UEFA. The future of Tapia as president of the AFA is now in serious doubt. The AFA has stated it has no outstanding tax debts, according to MSN, but the broader investigation continues.
If these claims are substantiated, this could turn into the most damaging scandal in Argentine football in years, with a significant impact on the administrative body of the AFA and the image of the sport in the country. The allegations extend beyond simple financial mismanagement, suggesting a systemic pattern of corruption that could shake the foundations of Argentine football governance.
The investigation also comes amidst broader tensions between the Argentine government and the football federation, with clubs recently declaring a total strike due to a tax crisis, as reported by MSN. This adds another layer of instability to the situation, highlighting the complex interplay between political and sporting interests in Argentina.
The AFA is currently facing scrutiny over its financial dealings with a US-based company contracted to collect revenue from around the world, specifically funds gathered over the past four years totaling over $260 million held in four American banks, according to Al Ain. The investigation revealed that at least $42 million ended up in four Florida-based companies with no employees and no declared commercial activity, further fueling suspicions of wrongdoing.
The unfolding situation raises serious questions about the integrity of Argentine football and the need for greater transparency and accountability within the AFA. The outcome of the investigation will likely have far-reaching consequences for the sport in Argentina, potentially leading to significant reforms and a renewed focus on ethical governance.
The next key date for Argentine football is the start of the Continental Cup, scheduled for later this month. All eyes will be on the AFA and its leadership as the investigation progresses. Further updates will be provided as they become available.
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