News of football

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

Yesterday 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

AFA LEADERSHIP ROW

River Plate withdraws from AFA executive committee meetings

Yesterday 09:09 Club cites lack of clear decision-making procedures and renews call for a 20-team top flight; Decision comes amid disputes over governance, league format and recent rulings.

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.

Football in Argentina

River chooses Eduardo ‘Chacho’ Coudet to replace departing Gallardo

04-03-2026 15:00 New Millo boss Eduardo ‘Chacho’ Coudet says River must ‘reset and start from scratch’ at unveiling; Marcelo Gallardo's successor signs contract tying him to the club until December 2027.

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.

Football in Argentina

From glory to grind - ‘El Muñeco’ bows out as costly comeback unravels

27-02-2026 09:42 Never go back, they say; Marcelo Gallardo is just the latest top coach to find out the hard way.

by Dan Edwards

FOOTBALL

‘You feel a bit ignorant’ – Messi’s regret over not studying English

24-02-2026 19:30 Argentina captain and Inter Miami forward says he “had the time to study” and regrets “a lot” not having done so earlier.

Football in Argentina

Marcelo Gallardo resigns as River Plate coach, ending disastrous second spell

23-02-2026 22:04 Marcelo Gallardo officially confirms his resignation as River Plate's head coach in a surprise video; Farewell match at home to Banfield this Thursday.

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

Gallardo and River: Is the end of a painful second act drawing near?

23-02-2026 14:48 After three straight league defeats and mounting pressure, Marcelo Gallardo’s return to the Monumental is turning sour.

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

FOOTBALL

AFA denies tax debts and criticises inquiry into Tapia

20-02-2026 19:02 Tapia has been barred from leaving Argentina by a judge.

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

Nasty surprises – but not so much shocks – for River and Boca

13-02-2026 06:55 Two Grandes are licking their wounds and asking some tough questions after two bruising defeats. Will further defeats see the exit of either side’s head coach?

by Dan Edwards

WORLD CUP 2026

Argentina to set up base camp in Kansas City for 2026 World Cup

05-02-2026 12:48 AFA confirms the Albiceleste will be based in Kansas City for the initial stages of the tournament, which will be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

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.

MONUMENTAL REFURBISHMENT

River Plate unveil plans to increase stadium capacity to 101,000 spectators

28-01-2026 12:43 One of Argentina’s biggest clubs announces historic US$100-million stadium expansion plan; River Plate’s new and improved Monumental will have 101,000-capacity and roofing; Project to take three years, work could begin in April or May.

FOOTBALL

Crossfire for AFA’s top brass amid persistent corruption claims

23-01-2026 19:07 Claudio Tapia, president of AFA, and Pablo Toviggino, his treasurer and right-hand man, are at the centre of court investigations, business complaints and accusations.

by Juan Cruz Soqueira

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Boca and River look for fresh start as Apertura kicks off

21-01-2026 15:39 Opening round of Argentina’s top-flight season, which gets underway Thursday, is an opportunity for both giants to reinvent themselves and rediscover the road to success after a trophyless 2025.

FOOTBALL TRANSFERS

Top clubs snap up signings amid short pre-season

15-01-2026 13:29 Given that plenty of the nation's biggest clubs were far from pleased with how 2025 turned out, there’s been a particularly frenzied wave of transfer activity in Argentina.

by Dan Edwards

2026: YEAR IN PREVIEW

What lies ahead for Argentine football in 2026

09-01-2026 09:05 Your (tongue-firmly-in-cheek) guide to what lies ahead for Argentine football in the next 12 months.

by Dan Edwards

FROM CAPTAIN TO CHAIRMAN?

'I'd like to have my own football club,' admits Messi in interview

06-01-2026 19:13 “I’d like to have my own club … start from the bottom and be able to give opportunities to young players, to people, to help them grow and to build an important club,” reveals national team star.

Football in Argentina

River Plate planning roofed Monumental with 100,000 capacity

28-12-2025 09:14 Club preparing ambitious infrastructure project that would transform its stadium and introduce European-style roofing for stands; Capacity would be increased to around 100,000 spectators – and crucially, River will be able to play there during changes.

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.

MESSI IN INDIA

Messi mania peaks in India's pollution-hit capital of New Delhi

15-12-2025 13:18 Football superstar Lionel Messi ended his whirlwind tour of India on Monday with a lap of honour in New Delhi.

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.

MESSI IN INDIA

Mess for Messi in Kolkata as fans vandalise India stadium after abrupt exit

13-12-2025 08:35 Angry spectators break barricades and storm pitch at a stadium in Kolkata, India after brief appearance by Lionel Messi, who is on a three-day tour of the country, at a stadium.

ARGENTINE SUPERSTAR IN ASIA

Messi to unveil 21-metre statue of himself on India 'GOAT' tour

12-12-2025 18:21 Lionel Messi will virtually unveil – due to security reasons – a 21-metre (70-foot) statue of himself in India on Saturday as he embarks on a three-day tour of the country.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Ex-team-mates Milito and Verón lead boyhood clubs into Clausura final clash

12-12-2025 02:02 Racing’s clash against Estudiantes to decide the second champion of the year is full of nostalgia for fans of early 21st century football, but it is also a testament to the talents of two stars who were able to make it through the toughest of transitions.

by Dan Edwards

FOOTBALL

New development in AFA-Sur Finanzas case as court orders search of Pilar neighbourhood

11-12-2025 17:51 The Federal Police searched two properties owned by Luciano Pantano and Ana Lucía Conte, singled out as the alleged fronts for “Chiqui” Tapia and formal owners of the investigated mansion in Pilar, which used to belong to Carlos Tévez. This comes after the searches of over 15 Argentine football clubs.

GRAFT INVESTIGATION

Police raid offices of Argentina football federation in corruption probe

09-12-2025 14:58 Judge ordered searches at Argentine Football Association (AFA) headquarters and at more than a dozen football clubs in relation to a criminal complaint filed by the country’s tax agency against Sur Finanzas.

CORRUPTION IN SPORT

Police raid AFA offices, top clubs in Sur Finanzas money-laundering probe

09-12-2025 14:53 Headquarters of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and up to 17 clubs raided as part of money-laundering investigation into Sur Finanzas; Raids carried out at Racing, San Lorenzo, Independiente, Banfield, Los Andes, Barracas Central and Acassuso, among others.

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

‘There’s no easy rival’ – Scaloni on Argentina's World Cup draw

05-12-2025 18:28 Coach reacts to news that Argentina will play Algeria, Austria and Jordan at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

FOOTBALL WORLD CUP 2026 DRAW

Argentina's World Cup group rivals: Algeria, Austria and Jordan

05-12-2025 16:11 Holders Argentina play Algeria, Austria, Jordan in World Cup Group J; Albiceleste will face African side first, date and location to be confirmed tomorrow.

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.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Football gods cook up two unmissable Clausura clashes

04-12-2025 19:10 Argentine football serves up yet another scintillating end to its broken Liga Profesional de Fútbol, despite the off-field chaos.

by Dan Edwards

GEOPOLITICS & SPORT

Football world braces for 2026 World Cup draw with Trump presiding

03-12-2025 09:53 Expanded 48-team tournament will be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada in June and July next year; Trump's attendance at the Kennedy Center ceremony underscores his rapport with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

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

AFA sparks controversy as Rosario Central are handed 'new' title

21-11-2025 09:42 Rosario Central add a new star after AFA invents a new trophy for "Champion of the League" – a decision not contemplated in the original rules.

Football in Argentina

Deportivo Madryn clock up the miles in quest to reach top flight

20-11-2025 00:10 The Aurinegro have a great chance of making history for both the club and all of Patagonia in reaching Argentina’s top flight – but first they’ve got to travel thousands of kilometres in order to do so.

by Dan Edwards

FOOTBALL

Prosecutors demand removal of judge linked to secret Maradona doc

15-11-2025 17:48 Judge Julieta Makintach faces dismissal for alleged involvement in unauthorised film that led to the annulment of the trial into Diego Maradona’s death; Family says accused lied to them, stating she wasn’t involved in documentary.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Messi scores as Argentina win in Angola

14-11-2025 15:36 Lionel Messi created the first goal and scored the second as world champions Argentina beat Angola 2-0 in an international friendly in Luanda on Friday.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

A thrilling – and not-at-all confusing – weekend lies ahead

13-11-2025 17:55 This weekend marks the final round of group fixtures in the Clausura and as such defines the fate of every team that still has something to play for.

by Dan Edwards