River Plate vs. AFA: Tapia Responds to Club’s Executive Committee Exit Amidst Legal Troubles & Federal League Plans

CORDOBA, Argentina – Amidst a deepening legal crisis and growing discontent among Argentina’s top football clubs, Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia addressed River Plate’s recent decision to withdraw from the AFA Executive Committee. The move, spurred by concerns over transparency and procedural fairness, comes as Tapia and other AFA officials face increasing scrutiny from the judiciary and financial regulators.

River Plate announced its departure from the committee on March 5, citing a lack of clarity and predictability in the handling of key issues, specifically demanding that agenda items be “incorporated into the agenda with due advance notice and submitted to a vote of the corresponding members.” The club, led by president Stefano Di Carlo, fears its actions could trigger a wider exodus from the committee.

Tapia, speaking at a meeting of Interior club directors in Córdoba on Sunday, appeared to downplay the significance of River’s decision. When asked about River and other potential departures, Tapia responded, “Ah, are there more? I didn’t recognize.” He then added, “When we took office, River wasn’t on the Executive Committee. Neither River nor San Lorenzo, there were five teams that weren’t part of it.”

The timing of River’s protest is inextricably linked to a widening investigation into alleged financial irregularities within the AFA. The Customs Collection and Control Agency (ARCA) initiated the probe in December 2025, alleging that the AFA failed to deposit tax withholdings and social security contributions totaling 19 billion pesos (approximately $12.8 million USD as of February 19, 2026) between March 2024 and September 2025. ARCA claims the AFA engaged in a “financial roundabout” using funds earmarked for employee social security and tax withholdings.

According to reports, the AFA held substantial bank credits – 45.072.435.530 pesos in December 2024 alone – and maintained fixed-term deposits in both pesos and dollars, raising questions about the justification for the alleged non-payment. Tapia and three other AFA officials – treasurer Pablo Toviggino, general secretary Cristian Malaspina and former general secretary Víctor Blanco – have been summoned for questioning by the judiciary and are currently prohibited from leaving the country. Hearings are scheduled to begin on March 5 and run through March 9.

The AFA has defended its position, claiming it has no outstanding debt and that the payments have already been made, pending resolution by an appeals court. The association also argues that ARCA’s actions are “in open contradiction to legal norms” and that This proves being unfairly targeted, as it is “the only entity to have been criminally charged by ARCA to date” among non-profit organizations in Argentina.

Beyond the ARCA investigation, Tapia and the AFA are facing separate legal challenges. One concerns the acquisition of a luxury mansion in Villa Rosa, Pilar, and associated assets. Authorities are investigating whether businessman Luciano Pantano and his mother, Ana Conte, acted as frontmen for the true owners of the property, which is valued at over $20.8 million USD. More than 50 high-end vehicles and documentation related to hangars and helipads were seized during raids.

A third legal front involves a complaint filed in December 2025 by businessman Guillermo Tofoni, alleging fraudulent management, irregular handling of contracts, and misappropriation of funds. The complaint alleges that strategic agreements were made without transparency and redirected to U.S.-based companies linked to TourProdEnter, supported by over 3,000 pages of banking documentation.

During the meeting in Córdoba, Tapia also addressed criticism regarding the number of teams in the Liga Profesional and Primera Nacional. He defended the current structure, stating, “We set out to make football federal, to be alongside each of the clubs that needed it, so that federalism would give everyone an opportunity. That’s why we have a tournament of 30 teams, a Primera Nacional with 36 teams, given that we defend federalism. That’s why we have the Copa País, so that all the provinces of the interior are represented.”

Tapia also announced plans for a new tournament, stating that each province would have a team participating, with the AFA providing funding for eight professional contracts per team, mirroring the approach taken with the professionalization of women’s football. Details of the new tournament remain undisclosed.

The unfolding situation casts a shadow over Argentine football, raising questions about the AFA’s financial management, and governance. The legal battles and growing dissent among clubs could have significant implications for the upcoming season and the stability of the sport in Argentina. The next scheduled hearing for Tapia and other AFA officials is set for March 5, and the outcome could determine the course of these investigations. Fans and stakeholders will be closely watching for updates as the situation develops.

The AFA’s response to these challenges, and the potential for further club defections from the Executive Committee, will be critical in navigating this turbulent period. The future of Argentine football leadership hangs in the balance.