The historic Acassuso executive and member of AFA's Executive Committee died from heart problems. In 2018 he had been reported for child abuse at Independiente
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Argentine soccer woke up this Wednesday to shocking news. At 46 years old,Francisco Javier "Pipo" Marín died, a historic figure at Acassuso and an influential man within the Argentine Football Association (AFA), due to a cardiac crisis. He had a long career at the San Isidro club and at the time of his death he was serving as first vice president.
Marín had gone through every area in Acassuso, a club that is currently playing in Primera Nacional after the promotion achieved at the end of last year. From his role as an executive, he promoted institutional and sporting growth, and he managed to build a network of alliances that positioned him as one of the key figures of the lower divisions.
That path led him to join the AFA Executive Committee as a full member representing the lower divisions and to chair the Development Commission, in addition to holding positions on the Boards of Primera D, Primera C, and B Metropolitana. His closeness to the infamous Claudio "Chiqui" Tapiaand Pablo Toviggino was a constant in recent years, just as it had previously been with Julio Humberto Grondona, whom he regarded as a paternal figure.
Marín era una figurada destacada en Acassuso y AFA
On his social media, at the end of 2025, he had publicly reaffirmed his support for the current leadership:"The more they slander, the more they try to hit the leadership, the closer together we will be. Always on the side of Chiqui Tapia and Pablo Toviggino". Months earlier, he had also praised Toviggino with a message in which he highlighted his role as a leadership reference.
His relationship with the AFA leadership allowed him to join delegations of the Argentina national team in important commitments and even to take part in negotiations related to the qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Within the environment, he was recognized as a leader with influence in the structure of the lower divisions.
His figure was also under judicial scrutiny in 2018, when he was charged in the case of abuse of minors at Independiente's boarding house. The courts investigated him on suspicion of being the contact identified as "Ballena" in the victims' cell phones. Marín appeared voluntarily, denied the accusations, and maintained that his contacts with individuals involved were strictly for work-related reasons at AFA. Although he was not convicted, in 2023, referee Martín Bustos was sentenced to 12 years in prison in that case.
Marín era cercano a Tapia y Toviggino
After his death became known, various clubs and executives expressed their condolences. Acassuso announced that it will close its doors for two days of mourning and that it will resume activities on Friday. Argentine soccer thus bids farewell to one of the strong men of the lower divisions in recent decades.
