The aforementioned individuals are part of an investigation that focuses on the financial structure used to manage the AFA's international commercial contracts.
The Justice Department of the United States is investigating possible money laundering and bank fraud schemes
The aforementioned individuals are part of an investigation that focuses on the financial structure used to manage the AFA's international commercial contracts.
The president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia, was detained by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States just minutes before returning to the country with part of the Argentine national team that participated in the last World Cup.
The incident occurred at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York. During the procedure, U.S. authorities requested the handing over of their cell phones and other electronic devices.
According to reports, the measure was not limited to Tapia alone. Computers and phones belonging to other members of the delegation who boarded charter flight AR 1971, operated by Aerolíneas Argentinas, to Buenos Aires last Monday were also confiscated.
The operation caused delays in the departure of the plane. Although the takeoff was initially scheduled for 6:00, it ultimately took place around 8:15. This rescheduling impacted the arrival of the world runner-up team at Ezeiza International Airport, where thousands of fans were waiting to welcome the team and celebrate their performance in the World Cup.
Among the footballers who traveled with Tapia were neither Lionel Messi nor Rodrigo De Paul. The national team captain arrived in Argentina a day later on his private plane and stayed at his home in Rosario with his family.
Meanwhile, some of those investigated will have to appear to testify before the Southern District Court of Florida. They are requested to provide all available information related to the company Tourprodenter, including communications with Pablo Toviggino, Diego Lucero, and Javier Faroni.
Tourprodenter, managed by Faroni, is listed as a registered company in Florida that acts as the exclusive commercial agent for the entity for sponsorship agreements, organization of friendlies, and television rights.
The case began to take shape during the World Cup. While Tapia and the AFA leadership accompanied the delegation in the United States, FBI agents and Department of Justice prosecutors were advancing in the reconstruction of the maneuvers linked to this financial structure.
Possible maneuvers of money laundering and bank fraud are being investigated in the movement of 300 million dollars through the U.S. financial system.
In this context, the seizure of phones, computers, and other electronic devices from both Tapia and members of the delegation represents a new institutional advance in the investigation.
The measure aims to preserve communications, files, and digital records that could be compared with bank movements, corporate documentation, and testimonies already collected by federal authorities.