Buenos Aires – The Argentine football season faces a temporary pause as the Asociación del Fútbol Argentino (AFA) confirmed a suspension of matchday 9 of the Torneo Apertura 2026, amidst an ongoing judicial investigation involving several league officials, including AFA President Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia. The disruption, initially prompted by a planned protest, has now been formalized, with a new date set for the completion of the round.
The AFA’s decision comes following a meeting of the league’s 30 club representatives. While the initial impetus for the suspension stemmed from concerns regarding the investigation, the league has now confirmed that matchday 9 will be rescheduled for the weekend of May 3rd, following the completion of matchday 16. This shift will necessitate adjustments to the playoff schedule, pushing the round of 16 to begin on May 10th, with quarterfinal matches scheduled for May 13th, and the semifinals taking place the weekend of May 17th. The championship final is currently slated for May 24th.
AFA Responds to Judicial Investigation
The situation unfolded as Tapia and AFA Treasurer Pablo Toviggino were summoned for questioning regarding allegations of improper retention of tax contributions totaling over $19.353 million between March 2024 and September 2025. The judge initially denied a request from Tapia’s defense to suspend the summons, but the inquiry is ongoing. The AFA has strongly refuted the allegations, asserting that all fiscal obligations have been met and payments were made prior to deadlines.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the AFA maintained its innocence, stating, “The Argentine Football Association has no outstanding debt regarding the tax obligations that have been used as the basis for the complaint filed by ARCA [the Argentine Association of Football Clubs]. And that were used as grounds for the judicial decision to summon the authorities of this entity to testify.” The league further argued that ARCA’s claims are based on obligations that are not yet due and cannot legally be considered a criminal offense.
The AFA’s statement continued, “In view of the Executive Committee meeting of the Professional League held today, the directors, by unanimous decision of all those present, requested the suspension of matchday 9 of the LPF, comprising Thursday, March 5th to Sunday, March 8th, and of the rest of the categories of our football, in repudiation of the complaint filed by ARCA against the Argentine Football Association.”
Impact on the 2026 Torneo Apertura
The suspension of matchday 9 throws a slight wrench into the schedule of the 2026 Torneo Apertura, currently in its inaugural season. As of March 4th, 2026, the league standings reflect a competitive landscape, with several teams vying for playoff positioning. The delay will undoubtedly impact team momentum and potentially affect player availability due to potential scheduling conflicts.
According to league data, as of March 4th, 2026, David Romero leads the Apertura in scoring with 5 goals. Notable results include Unión’s 4-0 victory over Gimnasia y Esgrima and Atlético Tucumán’s 4-0 win against Estudiantes. The league has as well seen some high-scoring affairs, such as San Lorenzo’s 2-3 loss to Lanús and River Plate’s surprising 1-4 defeat to Tigre.
The postponement affects all levels of Argentine football, demonstrating the league’s unified stance in support of its leadership during the investigation. The decision to reschedule the matches for May 3rd aims to minimize further disruption to the season, but the playoff schedule has been adjusted accordingly.
The situation highlights the complex interplay between on-field competition and off-field governance in Argentine football. The AFA’s response underscores its commitment to defending its officials against what it perceives as unfounded accusations, even if it means temporarily halting league play. For fans, the delay means a wait for the resumption of the Apertura, but the league assures that all efforts are being made to complete the season in a timely and fair manner.
The next confirmed checkpoint for Argentine football fans is the rescheduled matchday 9, slated to begin on May 3rd. Further updates regarding the judicial investigation and any potential impact on the league schedule will be released by the AFA as they become available.
What are your thoughts on the AFA’s decision? Share your opinions in the comments below.
Related reading
