Argentina Football Association Denies US Court Summons For President Claudio Tapia

The Argentine Football Association (AFA) on Wednesday denied reports that its president Claudio Tapia and treasurer Pablo Toviggino were detained and questioned by US authorities after leaving the United States following the FIFA World Cup final. The federation described the reports as “absolutely false” while acknowledging that a US investigation involving a third party connected to the organisation was underway. Several media reports had claimed that Tapia and Toviggino were stopped at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport before boarding the flight carrying the Argentine national team back home after their defeat to Spain in the World Cup final.

The reports alleged that the officials were questioned and that their electronic devices were seized by US authorities. However, the AFA rejected those claims, saying there was no detention or court summons issued against its senior officials. “All lies,” an AFA source told AFP, while the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) declined to comment on the matter. The football body confirmed that a US district court in Florida had issued a summons related to a third party associated with the organisation.

According to the AFA, the individual has been asked to appear before a grand jury and provide documents and communications that may be connected to various people, including federation officials. The AFA said the legal process does not involve Tapia or Toviggino directly. The organisation maintained that reports suggesting the federation’s top officials were detained or ordered to appear before US courts were inaccurate. Claudio Tapia has led the Argentine Football Association since 2017 and has played a major role in the country’s football administration during a successful period for the national team.

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Under his leadership, Argentina won major international titles, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup and other continental honours. Despite sporting success, the AFA has faced several investigations in Argentina. One probe is reportedly examining allegations of money laundering, while another relates to possible tax-related violations. The federation and its officials have faced scrutiny over financial and administrative matters in recent years. Tapia has also had a strained relationship with Argentina’s far-right President Javier Milei’s government.

The AFA president has opposed Milei’s proposal to allow greater private investment and possible privatisation of football clubs in the country, arguing against major changes to the existing club structure. The latest controversy adds another layer of scrutiny around the Argentine football leadership, although the federation has strongly rejected claims of wrongdoing by its senior officials in connection with the US inquiry. As investigations continue, the AFA said it remains focused on cooperating with legal authorities while defending its officials against what it called false allegations. The organisation has not provided further details about the third party involved in the US court proceedings.

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