Secret villas, police raids and a Tevez tweet, the scandal shaking Argentina football before the World Cup
A tweet that set off a chain reaction
In March 2024, retired Argentina striker Carlos Tevez sparked controversy with a cryptic social media post that pointed to alleged irregular activity involving senior figures within the Argentine Football Association. Without naming names directly, Tevez suggested that a top AFA official was linked to a large property in the Buenos Aires suburb of Pilar.
According to Reuters, the post prompted the progressive political party Coalicion Civica to begin examining the claims. The party later filed a criminal complaint centered on a sprawling villa in the area, arguing that the property warranted further investigation.
Investigations widen as police move in
As scrutiny intensified, authorities escalated their actions. According to reporting by Reuters, police in early December carried out raids at AFA headquarters as well as more than a dozen football clubs. Investigators focused on financial transfers involving clubs and a private financial services firm as part of a broader money laundering probe.
Days later, officers searched the Pilar property at the center of the allegations. Officials discovered a heliport, stables and 54 vehicles, including luxury and collectible cars. Coalicion Civica alleges the villa was used as part of a laundering operation linked to AFA president Claudio Chiqui Tapia and treasurer Pablo Toviggino.
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Separate tax case adds to pressure
The controversy deepened further when another case emerged. According to Argentine newspaper La Nacion, a prosecutor last week charged Tapia, Toviggino and other AFA leaders with unlawfully retaining approximately 13 million dollars in taxes, following a complaint filed by Argentina’s tax authority.
The AFA declined to respond to interview requests from Reuters regarding the investigations or the charges.
AFA pushes back and cites political motives
In a public statement, the AFA rejected the allegations and said it was being unfairly targeted by the government of President Javier Milei. The association argued that the scrutiny was linked to Milei’s push to restructure Argentine football clubs, which have traditionally operated as nonprofit member run entities.
“We are on the right path,” the AFA said, highlighting trophies won since Tapia assumed the presidency in 2017, including Argentina’s World Cup victory in 2022.
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Representatives for Tevez and Toviggino also declined to comment, according to Reuters.
Inside the property under investigation
Coalicion Civica officials told Reuters that they interviewed former workers at the Pilar villa, several of whom believed Tapia or Toviggino behaved as de facto owners of the property. One witness described Tapia arriving by helicopter and distributing football jerseys to staff.
“What they described was they moved as owners of the place, they got in the pool, used the facilities,” said Matias Yofe, a local party leader with Coalicion Civica. “Everyone indicated that this belongs to people of the AFA.”
Court documents reviewed by Reuters say investigators found an AFA branded bag bearing Toviggino’s name, football related books and a commemorative plaque during the search.
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Why the World Cup is unlikely to be touched
Despite the mounting legal and political pressure, experts say Argentina’s participation in the upcoming World Cup is unlikely to be affected. According to Reuters, officials at the justice ministry have asked the AFA and the Superliga to explain accounting entries totaling nearly 500 million dollars dating back to 2017, questioning vague balance sheet categories.
Sports law attorney Alan Wilder told Reuters that political realities make sporting sanctions improbable. “No one can pay the political cost of doing that,” he said, pointing to Lionel Messi’s stature and the symbolic weight of the national team.
Among fans, reactions range from outrage to resignation. “I think the lid has been blown off the pot,” said Enzo Gutierrez, a supporter from San Juan. “But if you’re a soccer fan, you live knowing that these things happen in Argentine soccer.”
Sources: Reuters, La Nacion
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