Turmoil in Argentine Football: Clubs Call Strike

Argentine football has been engulfed in turmoil over recent weeks, but not for reasons seen on the pitch. Instead, the drama is unfolding in courtrooms and tax offices, with legal battles and allegations of financial misconduct dominating headlines. The consequences of this off-field turbulence became clear when all matches in the ninth round of the Argentine league were suspended. The league authorities confirmed this dramatic decision in a statement released yesterday.

The strike is primarily in solidarity with Claudio Tapia, the embattled president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), who has faced allegations of corruption. Courts had previously imposed a travel ban on Tapia due to an ongoing tax evasion investigation. Although this restriction was recently lifted, the league’s clubs collectively called for a ‘strike’ in protest, highlighting their support for the AFA leadership.

Last week, the court had barred Tapia from leaving the country while the investigation continued. However, yesterday, the court overturned this ban, granting him permission to travel abroad. The ruling noted that “an ongoing investigation alone cannot justify restricting an individual’s international travel.”

Argentine tax authorities claim that the AFA withheld retirement payments for players and staff while failing to pay approximately 19 billion pesos (around 138 million USD) in taxes between March 2024 and September 2025. Additionally, allegations of money laundering have surfaced. In December, police conducted raids not only at AFA headquarters but also at major clubs including Racing, Independiente, and San Lorenzo.

Amid these proceedings, Tapia requested permission to attend a football federation event in Barranquilla, Colombia, and later a CONMEBOL board meeting in Rio de Janeiro. The court granted this permission on the condition of a 50 million peso bail. Nevertheless, Tapia, along with AFA treasurer Toviggino and two other officials, is scheduled to appear in court on 5 March.

In response, Argentine clubs have united in protest, announcing a strike from 5–8 March, deliberately timed to coincide with the court appearances of Tapia and other AFA officials.

The AFA views these developments as a “smear campaign” against them. Officials allege that right-wing President Javier Milei’s government is behind the pressure, seeking to convert non-profit football clubs into publicly listed companies—a move at odds with AFA policy.

Government-aligned lawmaker Silvana Giudici countered these claims, stating: “There is no political vendetta here. We hope clubs do not become hostage to these individuals (Tapia and treasurer Toviggino).”

Key Financial Allegations and Legal Actions

This episode has transformed Argentine football into a high-stakes political and financial battleground, where the fate of clubs, administrators, and players is increasingly intertwined with national governance and legal scrutiny.