News of argentine football

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

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

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.

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

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.

Football in Argentina

Racism is wrong and it must be removed from our game

20-02-2026 22:17 While the ostrich approach has served its purpose so far, at some point the sport will have to stand up and take action against a phenomenon which is bringing it into disrepute.

by Dan Edwards

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 TRANSFERS

Early moves to Europe complicate renewal of Argentina's national team

03-02-2026 16:29 Argentina’s footballers are moving to Europe at ever younger ages – a risky gamble that is complicating renewal of the national side.

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.

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.

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

Independiente Rivadavia win first-ever Copa Argentina title in dramatic final

06-11-2025 16:16 Mendoza side overcome two red cards and a last-minute equaliser from Argentinos Juniors to see off rivals 5-3 on penalties after 2-2 draw in normal time; First-ever Copa Argentina for Independiente Rivadavia, who will compete in next year’s Copa Libertadores.

SHOCK THERAPY

Milei’s strong peso revives domestic football with million-dollar contracts

25-02-2025 15:35 President’s peso policy has domestic clubs spending big; More than two dozen players now make US$1 million or more a year.

2025 – YEAR IN PREVIEW

What lies ahead for Argentine football in 2025

03-01-2025 07:59 Your (tongue-firmly-in-cheek) guide to what lies ahead for Argentine football in the next 12 months.

by Dan Edwards

FOOTBALL & POLITICS

Clubs or companies? Milei takes on football authorities

12-11-2024 21:18 Most football clubs In Argentina are non-profit civil associations controlled by the members, who pay a monthly fee and have voting rights. President Javier Milei, however, wants to open up the game to private capital.

FOOTBALL & POLITICS

Court blocks Milei’s privatisation plan for Argentina’s football clubs

04-09-2024 15:20 President’s decree forcing football governing body AFA to accept private capital into nation’s football clubs blocked by injunction until definitive ruling issued by courts.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Quinteros leads Vélez Sarsfield through a storming winter revival

30-08-2024 09:17 A sparkling run of six wins in seven game, culminating in last Monday’s 5-0 demolition of Barracas Central, has left Vélez at the summit of Argentina’s top flight.

by Dan Edwards

Football in Argentina

Gallardo is back at River for one purpose: glory

15-08-2024 17:38 River are already showing signs of switching from the patient, thoughtful, at times ponderous football which characterised them under Demichelis to Gallardo’s patented break-neck style, but it will take time for heads and legs to start responding to this increase in velocity.

by Dan Edwards