AFA chief Tapia, with Riquelme in tow, extends mandate to 2028
‘Chiqui’ set to extend seven-year stay at helm of domestic football’s governing body after no challenger emerges for upcoming elections; Boca legend Juan Romàn Riquelme joins Tapia’s team.
AFA chief Claudio ‘Chiqui’ Tapia, the head of the body that governs domestic football in Argentina, will remain in the role until 2028.
Tapia, 56, will extend his seven-year stay at the helm of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) next month when members meet for a general assembly.
Last Monday’s deadline for presenting a list of candidates for the upcoming October 17 meeting passed without a challenger emerging.
The only list filed with AFA was the one headed by Tapia, though the incumbent’s list of candidates for the body’s Executive Committee did include some interesting changes – among them, the inclusion of Juan Román Riquleme, the legendary Boca Juniors star who know leads the Buenos Aires club as president, on the slate to serve as executive vice-president.
“This list consists of the finest leaders in Argentine football. The new members have a deep work commitment to have better football. I thank you all”, said Tapia.
A few days ago, Riquelme highlighted Tapia’s direction, comparing him to Julio Grondona, the notoriously corrupt late former FIFA senior vice-president who led AFA from 1979 to 2014.
“Alongside Grondona, he [Tapia] is the best leader of Argentine football in history,” declared Riquelme.
Tapia will win a four-year term running from March 2025 to March 2029. He took on the role in 2017, replacing Luis Segura who resigned in 2016 amid fraud allegations.
The ex-Barracas Central president was always seen as likely to win a third term.
While in charge, Tapia has been a central figure in Argentine football, overseeing the national team’s recent trophy-laden run, which has included the 2022 World Cup and two successive Copa América triumphs.
However, there has been much criticism of the domestic game, which has slumped in quality in recent years and remains ravaged by corruption allegations and hooliganism.
Riquelme will be the first vice-president in Tapia’s third cycle in charge, alongside Ignacio Villarroel, the vice-president of River Plate.
They will be accompanied by Carlos R. O. Montaña (Independiente), David Luis Garzón (Huracán), Gabriel Mariano Greco (Ascenso) and Javier Treuque (Liga de Chubut) on AFA’s executive committee.
– TIMES/NA