The FBI is allegedly looking into some of the Argentine Football Association’s (AFA) financial practices, according to an Argentine publication, and the organization is purportedly under investigation in the United States. Investigators are examining hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of transactions that went through the US banking system to see whether any might have broken US laws, including possible money laundering offences, according to La Nacion.
No charges have been brought against the AFA or any individuals, and the FBI has not publicly acknowledged the existence of such an inquiry.
According to the story, which Fox Sports Mexico later referenced, authorities are looking into TourProdEnter LLC, a Florida-based business that purportedly oversees a number of AFA financial operations outside of Argentina.
The corporation processed at least $260 million in AFA-related revenue through accounts at numerous large US banks, including Citibank, Bank of America, JPMorgan, PNC Bank, and Synovus, according to data La Nacion analysed.
According to the publication, a portion of the funds seemed to be connected to specific company expenses. It did note, however, that some $57 million was moved to recipients and businesses whose commercial purpose was unclear based on the documents it examined.
Additionally, La Nacion claimed that certain recipient businesses didn’t seem to offer recognisable services. Citing official data examined by the newspaper, it further asserted that certain persons associated with those organisations were getting social welfare payments in Argentina.
Despite such claims, no charges have been filed, and the purported investigation has not been officially verified by US authorities.
The report has not received a public response from the AFA.
The accusations come at a politically delicate time for AFA President Claudio Tapia, who has been embroiled in a protracted conflict with Argentine President Javier Milei on plans to permit private ownership of football teams in Argentina.
Tapia was accused of tax evasion earlier this year after Milei’s administration filed a complaint. The stated FBI investigation in the US is unrelated to that case.
Shortly after Argentina defeated Egypt in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, the report became public. La Nacion did not, however, imply that the claimed financial review had anything to do with the tournament’s activities.
The assertions are still based on La Nacion’s reporting as of right now. No legal action has been announced, and neither the FBI nor any other US agency has released a public statement confirming an investigation.
If verified, the investigation would be among the most important US investigations into Argentine football since the FIFA corruption cases that changed several aspects of global football governance over ten years ago.
