Senior Argentine football officials have denied reports claiming that Argentine Football Association (AFA) President Claudio Tapia and Treasurer Pablo Toviggino were detained and questioned while leaving the United States following the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
اضافة اعلان
The AFA acknowledged, however, that U.S. authorities are conducting an investigation involving a third party with ties to the federation.
In a statement, the AFA addressed reports alleging that Tapia and Toviggino had been detained at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York before boarding the flight that carried Argentina's national team home after its defeat to Spain in Sunday's World Cup final.
According to those reports, the two officials were questioned by U.S. authorities, had their electronic devices confiscated, and were summoned to appear in court regarding the federation's international contracts.
The AFA categorically denied the allegations, describing them as "completely false."
An AFA source said:
"It's all lies."
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) declined to comment.
The federation did confirm that a U.S. District Court in Florida had issued a subpoena directed at a third party.
According to the AFA, that individual was instructed to appear before a grand jury and provide any documents or communications that might be connected to several people, including AFA officials.
The Argentine Football Association, led by Tapia since 2017, has been the subject of several investigations in Argentina.
One investigation focuses on suspected money laundering, while another concerns alleged tax evasion.
Under Tapia's leadership, the federation's relationship with the administration of Argentine President Javier Milei has become increasingly strained.
Tapia, a former labor union leader, has strongly opposed President Milei's push to privatize football clubs across Argentina.
