AFA's 'media machinery': Toviggino built a media network that defends Tapia and attacks Milei

While the justice system moves forward on money laundering maneuvers and the use of front men, AFA treasurer Pablo Toviggino was exposed once again. This time he was exposed as the coordinator of a media network that operates as a "political and media shield" for "Chiqui" Tapia's leadership.

Streaming channels and digital portals such as Carnaval, Data Clave and Doble Amarilla operate in a coordinated manner to support AFA. In addition, they play down judicial investigations and attack Javier Milei's government, which they accuse of driving an alleged "onslaught" against Argentine soccer.

"They are our media firepower", a source close to Toviggino admitted, in a definition that illustrates the para-official role that these outlets play.

Aligned media and a common message

Under slogans such as "Soccer unites what ideology divides", the network driven by Toviggino brings together journalists, sports executives, and media figures with diverse careers. However, the editorial line is homogeneous: defense of AFA, support for Tapia, and criticism of the government's project to authorize Sports Corporations (SAD).

Both Data Clave and Doble Amarilla recurrently publish content that portrays AFA as the victim of a "political persecution". At the same time, they attack officials, executives, and businesspeople who question the current inefficient structure of Argentine soccer.

In parallel, these outlets sustain a narrative favorable to Kirchnerism and to the leadership network of South American soccer. They praise figures such as Juan Román Riquelme, Alejandro Domínguez or Gianni Infantino, in line with the interests of AFA's leadership.

Victimization in the face of justice

The pattern repeats itself every time a judicial investigation advances on Toviggino's inner circle. After a raid linked to cases of alleged money laundering, Data Clave headlined: "They raided the home of the executive close to Carrió, Matías Yofe: he is being investigated for extortion." What is sought is to shift the focus away from the complaints against AFA and to discredit the complainants.

Doble Amarilla, meanwhile, spoke of a "government onslaught" and a "media campaign" against the Mother House of Argentine soccer. This way, the attempt is to reinforce the idea that the investigations do not respond to concrete facts but to political interests of the ruling party.

The judicial investigation also placed the streaming channel Carnaval under scrutiny. After the disclosure of the links between Toviggino and the channel, the company that originally owned the channel changed its corporate name and its owners just weeks after its launch. This was a move that sought to formally distance the AFA treasurer, although in a rather unsuccessful manner.

The personal, business, and asset links continue to appear in the judicial files, including companies investigated for the alleged use of front men and high-value assets that the justice system is trying to trace.

Media shielding to sustain power

Far from being independent journalistic ventures, the portals and channels linked to Toviggino operate as a central tool to sustain the power of AFA's current leadership.

Faced with a government that questions privileges, promotes structural changes, and puts the Argentine soccer model up for debate, the response was to build a system of media defense aligned with Kirchnerism and opposed to Milei.

The case exposes how soccer, politics, and business intersect once again in Argentina, with media outlets that stop informing in order to operate as shields for executives who are increasingly cornered by the justice system.