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The U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have launched a preliminary inquiry into the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and its president, Claudio Tapia, over alleged financial irregularities.
The investigation is centred on whether more than $300 million transferred through U.S. banking institutions may constitute money laundering, wire fraud or other financial offences under American law, according to reports by La Nacion and Terra.
Federal prosecutors and FBI officials have begun gathering evidence and witness accounts regarding the AFA’s commercial operations in the United States.
The review focuses on the association’s handling of international business agreements during Tapia’s tenure.
Authorities are also examining the role of TourProdEnter LLC, the company responsible for collecting overseas revenue on behalf of the AFA, to determine whether its financial arrangements violated U.S. banking regulations.
Investigators are tracing the movement of funds through several financial institutions, including Citibank, Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase, while assessing whether transactions carried out during Argentina’s currency control period breached federal statutes.
The inquiry continued even as Argentina progressed to the World Cup quarter-finals after defeating Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16.
As part of the fact-finding process, investigators reportedly conducted a three-hour video interview in Miami with businessman Guillermo Tofoni, seeking information on financial operations linked to the administrations of Claudio Tapia and Pablo Toviggino.
Amid the growing legal scrutiny, the AFA has strengthened its presence in the United States.
Its North American representative, Tomas Regalado, recently participated in a football integrity and corruption forum in Miami alongside Argentine criminal defence lawyer Mariano Lizardo.
Commenting on the investigation, Regalado stressed that the inquiry does not imply wrongdoing, saying that investigative actions alone should not be interpreted as proof of liability or guilt.
No criminal charges have been brought against the AFA or any of its officials. U.S. prosecutors are continuing to assess the available evidence before deciding whether further legal action is warranted.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong