FBI investigation into AFA draws conflicting reports and denials

A US federal investigation into the financial operations of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) has sparked conflicting reports, with some outlets claiming FBI agents detained President Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia and seized his phone, while the AFA vehemently denies the allegations. The probe centers on TourProdEnter LLC, a Florida-based company that acted as AFA's exclusive commercial agent, handling over $300 million in sponsorship and TV rights deals. Investigators are examining whether up to $40 million was improperly diverted to shell companies with no apparent business activity Source: Clarín, Infobae.

What happened

On July 21, as Argentina's national team returned from the World Cup final, multiple Argentine media reported that FBI agents stopped Tapia and other AFA officials at New York's JFK airport, confiscated their phones and computers, and ordered Tapia to testify in Miami on July 30 Source: Clarín, Infobae. The same sources said the subpoena also applied to treasurer Pablo Toviggino, businessman Javier Faroni, and Diego Lucero Source: Infobae.

The AFA denial

Hours later, the AFA issued a firm denial through lawyer Gregorio Dalbón. "It is absolutely false to claim that Claudio Tapia or Pablo Toviggino have been summoned to testify," the statement read, adding that no electronic devices were seized Source: Milenio, Excelsior. The AFA clarified that the court order targets an unnamed third party, not its leadership, and warned it may take legal action against outlets spreading "deliberately distorted" information Source: El Colombiano, Diario Libre. A spokesman called the reports "all lies" Source: Emol.

The Tofoni ruling

Separately, a federal judge in Georgia ruled that businessman Guillermo Tofoni, an AFA adversary, cannot use banking documents obtained under a U.S. discovery procedure in criminal cases against the AFA in Argentina, and must recover or destroy any material already circulated Source: La Voz.