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2026-08-25 00:49 UTC → 2026-09-09 21:56 UTC ·
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August August–September 2026 – Legal scrutiny of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and its leadership has expanded. expanded into new areas of alleged illicit enrichment. Federal justice in Comodoro Py has assumed jurisdiction to investigate AFA President Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia for alleged illicit enrichment. This investigation, overseen by federal judge Ariel Lijo, follows a complaint by businessman Guillermo Tofoni alleging Tapia’s assets increased by approximately 1,000% between 2017 and 2024. The investigation allegations focus on Tapia’s tenure at CEAMSE, the waste management entity for the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires, noting significant growth in real estate, bank deposits, and cash holdings. This follows previous investigations into a $17–$20 million luxury estate in Villa Rosa, Pilar, has been transferred suspected to the jurisdiction of Campana under Judge Adrián González Charvay. Investigators, suspecting the property is be held by frontpersons for President Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia and Treasurer Pablo Toviggino, have discovered personal items and AFA recognitions on-site, including a container featuring Diego Maradona’s face. The estate also contains a helipad and 54 high-end vehicles valued at approximately $4 million. Ariel Vallejo, owner of the digital wallet Sur Finanzas, admitted in a radio interview that his relationship with Tapia facilitated commercial agreements with at least 16 Argentine football clubs. Vallejo remains under federal investigation in Lomas de Zamora for alleged money laundering, usury, and fraudulent administration involving over $108 million. A preventive embargo currently prevents Sur Finanzas from operating. Toviggino. Additionally, a money laundering case initiated by Guillermo Tofoni, alleging Tofoni’s allegations regarding the diversion of funds from the U.S. and Spain through Buenos Aires-based firms, has firms have been referred to federal judge María Servini. Servini, sparking jurisdictional debates. Concurrently, Tapia and the AFA have filed criminal complaints against journalists Jonatan Viale and Franco Mercuriali. The AFA alleges the broadcast of an AI-generated video depicting Tapia and FIFA president Gianni Infantino constitutes “threats and public instigation to commit a crime,” following offensive content involving footballer Nico Paz. Tapia and Toviggino also face separate scrutiny regarding tax issues and the management of international funds. Separately, Ariel Vallejo, owner of Sur Finanzas, remains under federal investigation for alleged money laundering and fraudulent administration involving over $108 million, following admissions that his relationship with Tapia facilitated commercial agreements with 16 football clubs.