Buenos Aires – A judicial investigation has been launched into Héctor Paletta, the VAR official assigned to the recent Superclásico between Boca Juniors and River Plate, over alleged irregular cryptocurrency payments received in 2024.
The probe, confirmed by multiple Argentine media outlets including Infobae and a24.com, stems from suspicious financial movements detected by authorities, who allege Paletta received over 130 million pesos in digital asset transfers during that year—far exceeding his declared income.
Investigators are examining whether these funds, routed through virtual wallets, may be connected to his officiating duties, particularly following his controversial decision not to advise referee Darío Herrera to review a potential penalty on River Plate defender Lucas Martínez Quarta in the closing moments of the match.
Boca Juniors won the tightly contested Superclásico 1-0 at Estadio Monumental, a result that intensified scrutiny on Paletta’s VAR performance. The incident has reignited long-standing debates about impartiality in Argentine football, especially given Paletta’s known association with Boca Juniors, which has led to fans labeling him a “confessed Boca supporter” on social media.
Whereas no formal charges have been filed, the Agencia de Recaudación y Control Aduanero (ARCA) has declined to comment on the matter, citing fiscal secrecy. Judicial sources indicate the investigation remains active, with analysts tracing the origins and destination of the cryptocurrency flows to assess potential links to improper conduct.
The case adds a significant legal dimension to what began as a post-match dispute over a missed penalty call, transforming it into one of the most serious off-field controversies in recent Argentine football history.
