Argentine football is facing a major scandal as federal authorities raid the headquarters of the Argentine Football Association and over a dozen clubs nationwide. The inquiry, confirmed by judicial sources to LA NACION, centers on allegations of money laundering involving the financial firm Sur Finanzas and its close ties to AFA President Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia. The scope of the inquiry is notable, with more than 30 searches underway and a reported $818 billion in questioned transactions identified by tax authorities.
A federal judge has ordered raids on the headquarters of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and more than ten clubs as part of an investigation into financial dealings involving Sur Finanzas, a financial firm linked to AFA President Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia. The information was confirmed by judicial sources to LA NACION.
The investigation centers on alleged money laundering involving the financial firm, the AFA, and over a dozen clubs with commercial ties to Sur Finanzas, a major sponsor of the nation’s football governing body.
Authorities carried out more than 30 police procedures across various locations, including the AFA’s central office and its Ezeiza training facility.
The raids extended to the stadiums, offices, and clubhouses of 18 teams, including Racing, San Lorenzo, Independiente, Argentinos Juniors, and Barracas Central. Also included were Banfield, Deportivo Armenio, Acassuso, Brown de Adrogué, Defensores de Glew, and Excursionistas.
The list was completed with Los Andes, Platense, Temperley, Victoriano Arenas, Deportivo Morón, Sportivo Dock Sud, and Estrella del Sur.
The judicial action stems from a criminal complaint filed by the Dirección General Impositiva (DGI) – Argentina’s tax authority – against financier Ariel Vallejo, a close associate of Tapia. The accusation focuses on substantial financial transactions involving numerous clubs in both the top-flight Primera División and the Ascenso (second tier) through Sur Finanzas. Last week, Sur Finanzas’ headquarters and the Banfield club were also raided. Today’s operations expanded to include other institutions, such as Racing, San Lorenzo, and Independiente, according to judicial sources.
Investigators with the DGI discovered transfers totaling $818,000,000,000 made through the Sur Finanzas PSP platform. Among those moving the funds were “self-employed individuals with no economic capacity,” people listed as issuing fraudulent invoices, and “uncategorized subjects.” This has led to accusations of potential money laundering.
Evidence presented by the tax authority includes a list of approximately 250 suspicious transfers made through the Sur Finanzas PSP platform, with several Primera División and Ascenso clubs appearing on the list.
LA NACION reported that San Lorenzo leads the ranking of clubs with $660 million transferred, followed by Racing Club with $100,005,990, and Argentinos Juniors with $200 million. Other clubs mentioned includeTemperley, Los Andes, Excursionistas, Deportivo Morón, and Defensores de Glew. The transfer amounts for most Ascenso teams were not disclosed.
The Fideicomiso de Reconstrucción Banfileña, comprised of Banfield and Banfileños SA, is also under scrutiny, involving former club president Eduardo Juan Spinosa, Federico José Spinosa, Ignacio Javier Uzquiza (current treasurer of the Argentine Tennis Association), and Oscar Fabián Tucker.
All of these individuals were already under investigation in a case filed with Federal Court No. 2 in Lomas de Zamora. Based on this information, prosecutor Cecilia Incardona requested on Friday afternoon that the case be transferred to Judge Luis Armella’s court.
Vallejo turned over his phone to Judge Armella’s court on Tuesday. He also submitted his mother Graciela’s phone, which appears in several company records.
LA NACION reports that conversations with football officials were found on the phones. Vallejo remains silent, stating, “I only speak with Chiqui,” though his relationship with the AFA president is reportedly strained.
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