The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has strongly rejected reports claiming that its president Claudio Tapia and treasurer Pablo Toviggino were detained and questioned by US authorities while leaving the United States following the World Cup final.
The federation dismissed the claims as false, insisting that neither Tapia nor Toviggino was held at an airport or had their electronic devices confiscated before the Argentine team’s return home.
Reports had suggested that the two senior AFA officials were stopped before boarding the flight that carried the national squad back to Argentina after their defeat to Spain on Sunday. According to those reports, they were questioned over the federation’s international agreements and later asked to appear in court.
However, AFA released a statement denying the allegations, describing them as completely untrue.
“All lies,” the federation said in response to the reports.
While denying any involvement by its leadership, AFA did confirm that US authorities are conducting an investigation involving a third party connected to the organization.
A district court has reportedly issued a summons requiring that individual to appear before a grand jury and provide documents or communications that may be linked to several people, including AFA officials.
The investigation comes as AFA continues to face scrutiny at home, with domestic authorities examining allegations related to possible money laundering and tax-related offenses.
Tapia, who has led the federation since 2017, has also been involved in an increasingly tense relationship with the government of Argentine President Javier Milei. The disagreement has largely centered around Milei’s proposals to introduce changes to the structure and ownership of football clubs in Argentina, including plans that could open the door to privatization.
Despite the ongoing controversies surrounding the federation, AFA maintains that the latest reports involving its top officials are inaccurate and without basis.
