Newell’s Old Boys has placed former president Ignacio Astore and two other former executives under provisional suspension as part of an ongoing internal administrative investigation into the club’s financial management. The decision, which follows an audit revealing a significant increase in the club’s debt, was confirmed by current leadership ahead of a general assembly held at the Claudio Newell indoor stadium.
The suspension also extends to former secretary Sharon Romero and former treasurer Hernán Cardozo, who served alongside Astore during his 2021–2025 term. According to Hernán Botta, the club’s current second vice president, the measure targets individuals who held the authority to make financial and economic decisions that led to a sharp rise in liabilities. Botta stated that there are “merits to suspend the people who, with their signature, compromised the club and led to tripling the debt,” which is currently estimated to be between 35 and 40 million dollars, as reported by Rosario3. The board confirmed the move this past Tuesday, following the team’s victory against Central Córdoba de Santiago del Estero.
Administration investigates previous board performance
The current administration initiated an administrative summary to investigate the performance of the previous board. While the suspension is currently provisional, it marks a significant escalation in the club’s efforts to address the fiscal instability inherited from the previous management. The leadership has opted not to escalate the matter to the judicial system at this stage, preferring to allow the internal administrative process to conclude before deciding on further legal steps.
Botta, who also serves as the dean of the Faculty of Law at the National University of Rosario, emphasized that the decision was taken within the current board’s powers and was not subject to a vote by members at the assembly. The club maintains that the audit, which was first presented in May, remains a cornerstone of its efforts to establish a more sustainable financial model. Botta noted that beyond the audit, there are “revealing facts that are daily” occurrences concerning irregularities tied to the previous administration.
Club approves financial balances for two periods
During the assembly, which saw the participation of approximately 350 members, the club approved the financial balances for the 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 periods. The 2024–2025 balance, which covered the final year of Astore’s term, had been pending approval since the previous administration failed to call an assembly to address it. The 2025–2026 balance covered the transition period between the outgoing and incoming administrations. The assembly was presided over by first vice president Juan Manuel Medina and secretary Juan Costa, with president Ignacio Boero joining the proceedings after returning from a meeting of the AFA Executive Committee in Buenos Aires.
The current board, led by president Ignacio Boero, outlined a new management structure that took effect on July 1, 2026. This plan focuses on four primary objectives: restoring sporting competitiveness, reducing the operating deficit, professionalizing internal departments, and digitizing institutional management. The club stated that these steps are intended to prioritize transparency in the handling of resources to ensure long-term stability.
Engagement with opposition groups
In the lead-up to the assembly, current leadership held meetings with various opposition factions, including the Nuevo Frente Rojinegro, Fuerza Leprosa, and the Agrupación 8 de Marzo. The meeting took place at the Malvinas facility prior to the Thursday assembly scheduled at Parque Independencia. While the board maintains a policy of dialogue, it has remained firm regarding the necessity of the current investigations into the previous administration’s financial decisions.
The club has not yet determined whether the findings of the administrative summary will result in permanent expulsion for the former executives. The current leadership has indicated that any further action, including potential legal complaints, will depend on the final results of the ongoing internal inquiry. It remains unclear exactly what specific daily irregularities the audit uncovered or if the final debt figure will fluctuate further as the investigation continues.
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