The problem is that until Sunday it was not listed on the official website, and the metadata revealed that the file was created after the match.
Meanwhile, Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia was celebrating Barracas Central's victory at Riestra's stadium, while in Viamonte they were trying to explain why a circular dated February 12 only appeared on Sunday night.
Chiqui Tapia, presidente de la AFA
But the facts are even more serious. The technical data showed that the file was created exactly at 7:21 p.m., with the national scandal already underway, and using Adobe PDF Maker.
The metadata gives it away
Amid the avalanche of criticism, the AFA released a statement claiming that the bulletins "can't be altered" because "they have sequential numbers". However, experts consulted dismantled that argument.
Modificación del boletín post escándalo del pasillo
Gendarmería's computer expert, Williams Alfaro, was categorical: "It is possible to modify a PDF that belongs to the Official Bulletin, of course".
Although he clarified: "The metadata alone doesn't give you exact indications that a document was modified. Other sources of evidence must be analyzed."
Alfaro also explained the role of the hash: "The hash is like the ID of a file. Any modification is reflected there. The metadata is 100% modifiable even with free programs".
Systems engineer and master's in information security, Maximiliano Bendinelli, was even more direct: "Everything can be modified and edited, unless it has a digital signature."
He added: "In the metadata you can see that the document was created and modified in recent days. They were not able to erase that information."
Digital communicator Alberto Pietrobón reviewed the entire bulletin repository: "I downloaded the rest of the files and they match the indicated date. In contrast, the document for the guard of honor is dated Sunday".
He concluded: "The people managing the AFA's website are inexperienced. But the original must be checked."
A possible crime and Estudiantes prepares
Article 292 of the Penal Code establishes that falsifying a private document to cause harm constitutes a private action crime.
This opens a sensitive door: Estudiantes' players were reported by referee Pablo Dóvalo for alleged "incitement to violence by the home crowd", a charge that could become unsustainable if the bulletin used to justify sanctions turns out to be manipulated.
The legal team of Club Estudiantes de La Plata is already working on the statement requested by the Disciplinary Tribunal. But the institution is going further: it wants to verify the authenticity of Bulletin 6625 and doesn't rule out taking the case to court if falsification is confirmed.
According to reports, Juan Sebastián Verón is willing to go "to the last consequences", especially if they attempt to suspend the players who turned their backs during the guard of honor for the designated champion.
