In a new “attack” against Claudio “Chiqui” Tapiathe government announced that the Ministry of Justice, through the Inspectorate General of Justice (IGJ), would notify this AFA already Professional soccer league to provide explanations on their accounting and financial balance sheets. As expected in an official statement, documentation will be requested in support Expenses and investments from more than $111,000,000 in the case of AFA yu$s340,000,000 in the Professional league.
The government’s complaint against the AFA
The published letter noted that “HE will inform the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and the Argentine Football Super League to provide clarifications on the figures contained in their accounting and financial reportsand answer all questions regarding the observations made, as is required of all registered private legal entities without exception.”
The statement added: “The balance sheets of the AFA and the Super League for which explanations have been requested exceed US$111,000,000 and US$340,000,000 respectively. The IGJ will require the AFA to provide documents relating to expenditure and investments related to activities not included in their social statutes. The AFA is a non-profit association.”
The government reiterated that “No one is above the law or has privileges“and stressed that the AFA and the Super League “must meet the same requirements required of all associations and foundations registered with the IGJ.”
In this sense, they warned against it Failure to comply with or comply with the requirements within the specified time limit may result in severe economic sanctions for both companies and their directors.
This decision complements another recent executive action. On Monday, via Patricia Bullrich, The government condemned the authorities AFA before the Conmebol Ethics Court for alleged violations of the organization’s Code of Ethics and anti-corruption, anti-bribery and compliance policies.
The presentation called for a preliminary investigation into a network of trading companies, direct contracts and asset movements that it said would jeopardize the good governance standards required by the government Conmebol.
The facts are part of a case that is being processed in the Economic Criminal Court No. 10from the judge Marcelo Aguinskythat the company is investigating Real Central SRL and two people identified as Luciano Nicolas Pantano And Ana Lucia Contewho were identified as suspected frontmen of senior AFA leaders.
According to the account, the company was used to own assets that were not related to the stated economic performance of its owners. The assets analyzed include, among others: Plot of more than 10 hectares in Villa Rosa, Pilar districtwith ranch, helipad, sports facilities, horse training track, stables with high-performance horses and luxury vehicles.
What is particularly striking is the ownership of this property: it was acquired by the in 2017 former Boca footballer Carlos Tévezin June 2023 it passed into the hands of Malte SRL (official supplier of the AFA) and less than a year later was transferred to Real Central SRL. Especially where it is pointed out that the latter’s partners were identified, they were alleged straw men.
Likewise those Expenses and maintenance costs of the property were on behalf of Wicca SAS, an affiliated company former finance minister of the AFA, María Florencia Sartirana and the organization’s former general director, Juan Pablo Beacon.
The controversy over hiring, business relationships and the AFA’s response
The complaint also focuses on Direct contracts between AFA and affiliated companies. According to AFA Bulletin No. 6089 dated March 25, 2022, Malte SRL was hired directly for an amount of $550,000 for the completion of VAR system.
He official document highlights the company’s history as an official supplier, while the complaint alleges the existence of business and personal relationships with former directors of the organization. Of the AFA They reported a “blatant political persecution” and questioned the government’s actions. They stated that they were facing a “coordinated attack” from officials and leaders and rejected attempts to intervene.
They also criticized the official move Sports public companiesin contrast to the model of non-profit civil associations, and concluded their defense by pointing out that the organization would continue to focus on the development of Argentine football.
“In the end, we continue to do what we have always done: put the ball on the ground, just play, pay attention to the length of the field and work on it, while some from outside criticize (the same ones who criticized the decision to support coach Scaloni and his coaching staff before winning a World Cup and two America Cups). Argentine football continues to grow. If this breeds distrust, creative theories, or endless debates, it’s because we do things too well. After all, in the AFA We don’t talk about politics, we talk about football. The rest will be discussed on the platform,” they concluded.
About The Author
