AFA leadership faces scrutiny amid shift in Milei administration stance

The relationship between President Javier Milei’s administration and the leadership of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has undergone a significant shift. While Milei previously called for judicial investigations into AFA officials Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia and Pablo Toviggino, recent reports suggest a move toward non-interference. High-ranking officials reportedly heard Milei state, “Que hagan lo quieran con la AFA” (Let them do what they want with the AFA).

This change in stance coincides with the appointment of Juan Bautista Mahiques to the Ministry of Justice, who has family ties to Tapia and Toviggino. Critics and club presidents have raised concerns regarding judicial delays in cases involving billions of pesos, as well as investigations into high-value properties and international business dealings.

Furthermore, as U.S. federal prosecutors began reviewing the AFA’s financial circuits, the entity transitioned its international collection scheme to Moon Euro Management LLC, a newly formed company based in Dubai with bank accounts in Miami. Amidst these legal and financial complexities, some club leaders have expressed fears that the AFA leadership exerts undue influence over match results and disciplinary actions.