News of football association

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 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.

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.

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 & 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

AFA calls elections with ‘Chiqui’ Tapia seeking third term

03-09-2024 17:38 Head of Argentine football’s governing body, fresh off the back of World Cup and Copa América triumphs, will seek a third term in October elections; Move comes as President Javier Milei seeks sweeping changes to structure of the national game.

SPORTS OWNERSHIP BATTLE

Milei orders AFA football authorities to accept privately owned clubs

15-08-2024 13:50 New government decree signed by Javier Milei advances move to introduce private limited companies into the local football ecosystem; President gives AFA, federations and clubs one year to change statutes and allow "sporting corporations" into league pyramid.