News of afa

AFA furore deepens as tribunal sanctions Estudiantes, bans Verón

Today 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.