The Argentine Football Association (AFA) has dismissed reports claiming that its president, Claudio Tapia, and treasurer, Pablo Toviggino, were detained by United States authorities after the FIFA World Cup final, describing the reports as completely false.
The reports alleged that the two officials were stopped at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York while preparing to leave the United States following Argentina’s defeat to Spain in the World Cup final.
According to the reports, the officials were questioned by US authorities, had their electronic devices seized and were ordered to appear in court over the federation’s international contracts.
However, the AFA strongly denied the claims in an official statement.
“The reports are absolutely false,” the federation said.
A source within the association also dismissed the allegations.
“All lies,” the source told AFP.
While rejecting the detention reports, the AFA acknowledged that a US District Court in Florida had issued a summons involving a third party connected to the federation.
According to the association, the individual has been asked to appear before a grand jury and provide documents and communications that may relate to several people, including AFA officials.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) declined to comment on the matter.
The AFA, led by Claudio Tapia since 2017, is also facing separate investigations in Argentina over allegations of money laundering and tax evasion.
Tapia has also been involved in public disagreements with the administration of Argentine President Javier Milei, particularly over the government’s proposal to privatise football clubs in the country—a move the AFA president has openly opposed.
Source: AFP.
