News of claudio chiqui tapia

Messi set for 'one last dance' with Argentina in international friendly

Today 18:12 AFA chief Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia says 39-year-old Lionel Messi has been called up for match against Benin next month "so that he can have the farewell he truly deserves... here in Argentina."

POLITICS & SPORT

FIFA chief Infantino gets backing of AFA, South American football

08-08-2026 05:07 CONMEBOL, which has only 10 FIFA-affiliated members but includes iconic federations such as Argentina and Brazil, expresses concern but backs FIFA chief.

FOOTBALL & POLITICS

AFA says US authorities did not detain Claudio ‘Chiqui’ Tapia

23-07-2026 02:14 AFA denies reports Tapia was questioned by FBI in US; Football association says reports its president and senior officials were detained or summoned by US authorities are "absolutely false."

Politics – Analysis

Hiding behind the World Cup, Milei siblings restructure their government

18-07-2026 06:50 The World Cup provided the Milei administration a much-needed breather after three months under siege. Javier and Karina Milei are learning by doing, but by doing so they are slowly but surely resembling what they initially promised to battle.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

Editorial

A tale of two footballs

11-07-2026 00:27 The epic World Cup comeback against Egypt only stands to widen the gap between the squad of the two Lionels and all other institutions in Argentina.

WORLD CUP 2026 – PREVIEW

Defending champs Argentina look to make history at 2026 World Cup

03-06-2026 17:11 Title-holders hope to put AFA turmoil aside and overcome injury concerns at World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico.

AFA FOOTBALL PROBE

AFA chief Tapia and top officials formally charged in tax evasion case

30-03-2026 16:52 Judge formally charges AFA, ‘Chiqui’ Tapia and several senior officials in a tax evasion case.

AFA JUDICIAL PROBE

AFA President Tapia appears in court over alleged tax evasion

12-03-2026 14:58 Claudio ‘Chiqui’ Tapia and Pablo Toviggino appear before federal judge but decline to answer questions; AFA lashes out at government pressure, denies allegations of wrongdoing.

SPORT & THE COURTS

AFA treasurer Toviggino testifies in alleged tax evasion case

12-03-2026 00:46 Pablo Toviggino appears before federal judge but declines to answer questions; AFA president Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia due to testify on Thursday.

Football in Argentina

Tapia places ace card as Argentina’s clubs cancel matches and strike

06-03-2026 09:57 Footballers are hanging up their boots in solidarity with the paymasters and rulemakers. The industrial action prepared in the coming days is almost unprecedented and a clear statement in these sensitive political times.

by Dan Edwards

FOOTBALL & POLITICS

Trump honours Messi's Inter Miami at White House

05-03-2026 21:21 Lionel Messi put aside his aversion to politics Thursday and walked alongside Donald Trump at the White House to commemorate his club championship with Inter Miami, handing the US president a rare photo-op.

FREED GENDARME

Freed Border Guard Nahuel Gallo alleges 'psychological torture' in Venezuelan prison

05-03-2026 08:21 Freed Border Guard Nahuel Gallo says he suffered ‘psychological torture’ while jailed in Venezuela.

FREED GENDARME

Nahuel Gallo: ‘I’m trying to rejoin society’

04-03-2026 19:10 Security officer returns to Argentina after negotiations facilitated by AFA; Calls on Caracas to release foreign political prisoners at press conference with Quirno and Monteoliva.

AFA FOOTBALL PROBE

AFA legal case: The claims investigated by judges that put Tapia under pressure

28-02-2026 06:44 The courts are investigating football authorities for holding back money, its Qatar 2022 World Cup prizes and fraudulent financial movements; AFA chief Tapia has been summoned and slapped with restrictions on leaving the country.

POLITICS – ANALYSIS

Milei: Dominant in decay

28-02-2026 06:01 The improved macroeconomic situation must eventually translate into better opportunities for a majority of the people.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

CLUBS v GOVERNMENT

Argentina's top flight suspends matches over tax probe into AFA chief

23-02-2026 20:54 Argentina's top flight will not play next weekend in protest as clubs choose solidarity with Argentine Football Association (AFA) chief Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia over ongoing tax fraud probe.

GRAFT INVESTIGATION

AFA chief Tapia barred from leaving country in tax probe

19-02-2026 19:04 Court bars Claudio ‘Chiqui’ Tapia, the president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), from leaving the country and summons him to testify in a tax evasion case.

Football in Argentina

The football season has started – much to Chiqui Tapia’s relief

24-01-2026 07:02 The 2026 Liga Profesional de Fútbol is underway – and AFA chief Claudio ‘Chiqui’ Tapia has surely been counting down the days until the distractions on the pitch kick off.

by Dan Edwards

POLITICS & SPORT

Tapia distances himself from AFA’s negative headlines at home

18-12-2025 01:18 AFA says Milei “has chosen it as a target of his political ambitions” as Bullrich files corruption complaint with CONMEBOL against football governing body’s chief and treasurer.

PROFILE

Verón, AFA’s adversary, takes Estudiantes to Clausura triumph

18-12-2025 00:19 The sporting success of 'El Pincha' is not the only reason ‘La Brujita’ Verón has been in the spotlight of late.

Football in Argentina

Estudiantes crowned Clausura champions after penalty shoot-out win over Racing

14-12-2025 10:14 Estudiantes crowned champions of Clausura tournament after beating Racing 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Madre de Ciudades stadium in Santiago del Estero; Adrián ‘Maravilla’ Martínez opened the scoring with a fine finish, before Guido Carrillo headed home a dramatic equaliser. In the shoot-out, Uruguay international Muslera was the hero for the Pincha.

EDITORIAL

Milei’s offside trap

06-12-2025 06:41 A shady AFA might seem an easy target for polarisation but Milei could be playing with fire.

Politics & football

‘Tiny’ Tapia follows in the footsteps of ‘Don Julio’

06-12-2025 06:37 Tapia and the AFA scandal sit at the centre of a web of connections looping in almost the entire political ecosystem. It is under scrutiny by investigative journalists and the Judiciary, with the United States also paying attention.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

FOOTBALL & POLITICS

Milei exposes local football rift by skipping Trump’s World Cup show

05-12-2025 10:24 President Milei and AFA chief Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia are at odds over an attempt to allow private ownership of teams in the football-obsessed nation – a row that has spilled over into the 2026 World Cup draw.

POLITICS – ANALYSIS

High corruption in Argentina

29-11-2025 05:00 Two years into Javier Milei’s Presidency, there is a growing sense of impunity that by no means is his sole responsibility. It is reminiscent of moments of high corruption such as those seen in the latter Kirchnerite years.

by Agustino Fontevecchia

Football in Argentina

On-field excitement and off-field silliness in Argentina's top flight

28-11-2025 11:54 Thanks to the AFA, Rosario Central and Estudiantes de La Plata, Argentine football stirred one of its classic storms in a teacup uproars – and it did not disappoint.

by Dan Edwards

SPORTING SANCTION ROW

AFA furore deepens as tribunal sanctions Estudiantes, bans Verón

28-11-2025 10:33 Estudiantes condemns punishment handed out La Plata-based side after their players turned their backs on Rosario Central during guard of honour; Club President Verón handed six-month ban, captain stripped of band for three months and players suspended; Dispute over direction of domestic game deepens after the club signals possible legal action.

Football in Argentina

Beautiful game, baffling system: Argentina’s impossible league system

24-11-2025 18:21 A byzantine league system, eight trophies up for grabs starting from 2026 and formats that would give Albert Einstein a migraine – welcome to the wonderful chaos of Argentine football.

Football in Argentina

Rise of Barracas Central, ‘Chiqui’ Tapia's club, sparks debate

06-11-2025 17:13 Barracas Central’s climb into Argentina’s top flight has triggered debate over alleged refereeing favouritism, sparking controversy among opposition fans.