The AFA president distanced himself from the controversy and defended the Ciclón's boss by comparing him to his own experiences
Once the images went viral, the Argentine Football Association decided to act and ordered its Ethics Committee to intervene to analyze what happened.
"This Executive Council headed by President Claudio F. Tapia and its three Members, in the exercise of their statutory powers, has instructed the AFA's Jurisdictional Bodies, through the Ethics Tribunal, to initiate proceedings to investigate what happened," the AFA communicated on Tuesday night.
They also clarified: "In this regard, beyond having instructed the initiation of proceedings, it is appropriate to clarify that the Jurisdictional Bodies and in this particular case the Ethics Tribunal, are collegiate bodies that act with total independence, adhering to the provisions of the AFA's Code of Ethics, the Statute, and those procedural diligences that the Tribunal itself deems appropriate, among which it is important to highlight the irrevocable right to due defense of the involved party."
On the other hand, it was anticipated, although without specific deadlines or dates, that the final decision will be communicated through a ruling published in the Official Bulletin. If what is suggested in the images is confirmed, the president's conduct could be framed under articles 22 and 23 of the Code of Ethics, which sanction corruption and the collection of commissions from football actors.
After the release of the hidden camera showing Marcelo Moretti receiving money from a woman, a scandal erupted that led the president to request leave from his duties. Meanwhile, the AFA opened an investigation and, in recent hours, Claudio Tapia addressed the case.
The president of the AFA chose to distance himself from the controversy and expressed his opinion purely as a spectator.
"The truth is, I am very respectful of each club's management. Each club has its president, its board of directors, elected by the members. I don't vote, I don't choose presidents. I've seen the images that everyone has seen, without a doubt that we act as appropriate," he assured in a conversation with TyC Sports.
Regarding the investigation that the AFA's Ethics Committee will initiate, he stated: "There is an autonomous tribunal that must statutorily carry out the pertinent investigations."
The phrase that drew the most attention was the one in which he justified his impartiality by appealing to his own experience. "I can't comment, because it has happened to me too. Over these eight years, I don't know, they must have filed ten or twelve complaints against me. I must be the most reported president in the history of Argentine football," he stated.