AFA President Tapia Faces US Lawsuits Over Messi‑Linked Contract and Money‑Laundering Probe

Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), is embroiled in two separate legal actions in the United States. A Miami‑based event promoter, VID Music Group, has filed a civil suit alleging that a contract for two 2023 friendlies – one against Venezuela and another against Puerto Rico – required Lionel Messi’s participation. Because Messi did not play in the Venezuela match, the promoter claims ticket sales fell and seeks millions in damages, and it has asked that Tapia be compelled to testify.

At the same time, U.S. federal prosecutors are conducting a criminal investigation into alleged money‑laundering and tax‑fraud schemes linked to AFA’s commercial operations. The probe centers on TourProdEnter LLC, a Miami company owned by businessman Javier Faroni and his wife Erica Gillette, which allegedly handled about $300 million in image‑rights revenues for the Argentine national team and is accused of diverting roughly $40 million to shell companies. A key witness is reportedly negotiating a cooperation agreement with authorities. The AFA has clarified that no formal charges have been brought against Tapia, treasurer Pablo Toviggino, Faroni, or others, and that the grand jury’s role is to determine whether probable cause exists for criminal charges.