News of afa

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 & 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.

DISCRIMINATION

'Discrimination': AFA slams 'anti-Semitic acts' by fans of All Boys

01-07-2025 09:55 Argentine football's governing body condemns "anti-Semitic" acts by fans of All Boys ahead of their match with Atlanta.

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

Clubs re-elect ‘Chiqui’ Tapia as AFA chief in defiance of Milei government

18-10-2024 07:21 Claudio ‘Chiqui’ Tapia easily wins re-election as chief of Argentina’s domestic football federation, laying down a challenge to President Javier Milei’s government.

Football in Argentina

River cling on in Santiago to round off another eventful week

21-09-2024 00:33 River in the Libertadores, a title race is looking like a procession, Messi explodes back onto the scene, a ‘Chiqui’ Tapia masterclass and the futsal ‘muchachos’ fly the flag.

by Dan Edwards

FOOTBALL & POLITICS

AFA chief Tapia, with Riquelme in tow, extends mandate to 2028

17-09-2024 15:57 ‘Chiqui’ set to extend seven-year stay at helm of domestic football’s governing body after no challenger emerges for upcoming elections; Boca legend Juan Romàn Riquelme joins Tapia’s team.

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 & 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.

FOOTBALL & POLITICS

Milei’s sets collision course with AFA in club ownership row

23-08-2024 14:41 A conflict is brewing that could tear the nation's game down the middle. President Milei’s government is bent on imposing a new club ownership model that would privatise sporting institutions, but its arguments for the change do not stand up to scrutiny.

by Dan Edwards

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.

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

Messi out of Argentina friendlies with hamstring injury, confirms AFA

19-03-2024 09:40 Skipper suffers hamstring injury while playing for Inter Miami and will miss friendlies against El Salvador and Costa Rica.

FOOTBALL IN ARGENTINA

Tevez’s spat with Tapia shows consequences of AFA’s chaos

08-03-2024 11:23 Carlos Tevez declared open rebellion against Argentine football's reigning powers this week after seeing his Independiente side held against Barracas Central, in a match peppered with dubious refereeing decisions.

by Dan Edwards

International football

Argentina to tour US after China cancels friendlies in Messi spat

22-02-2024 21:12 World champions will play El Salvador in Philadelphia on March 22 and Nigeria in Los Angeles four days later.

FOOTBALL

Buenos Aires to host Copa Libertadores 2024 final

13-02-2024 15:13 AFA confirms that final of Copa Libertadores 2024 will be played in Buenos Aires, though association doesn't confirm which stadium will host event.