The treasurer joined Tapia's strategy and demanded to suspend statements until the House decides if there was a crime for the alleged withholding of contributions.
The case investigating the leadership of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) added a new judicial chapter. The unpresentable Pablo Toviggino, the entity's treasurer, called for the annulment of his summons to the inquiry and replicated the strategy already presented by themobster president, Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia
.
The proposal was presented to the National Economic Criminal Court headed by Diego Amarante. The defense argued that the investigation is inadmissible while the decision of the National Economic Criminal Chamber on a request for dismissal for the absence of a crime is pending
. Tapia and Toviggino called for the annulment of the investigation
As they argued, moving forward with statements before the House defines whether the facts reported constitute a crime would violate due process. The case investigates the alleged undue withholding of contributions and taxes of 19.3 billion pesos corresponding to the period March 2024 to September of last year
.
The original schedule set the start of the investigations this week. Tapia and the AFA itself must declare on Thursday, March 5, followed by General Director Gustavo Lorenzo on Friday, 6th, while the current Secretary General, Cristian Malaspina, and his predecessor, Víctor Blanco, are scheduled for Monday 9th. Meanwhile, Toviggino is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, after his statement was rescheduled at the request of his
defense. Tapia declares Thursday, March 5 In addition to the proposal of nullity, the treasurer requested to declare by videoconference, although that request was rejected.
It should be clarified that all the accused leaders are banned from leaving the country, although Tapia received specific authorizations for official trips linked to CONMEBOL
.
Now it will be Judge Amarante who must decide if the requested nullity occurs or if he maintains the schedule of investigations, a decision that could redefine the progress of the investigation.
