Argentine Football Association denies detaining president and treasurer in the US

Buenos Aires (AFP) – Top Argentine football officials firmly denied reports claiming that the president and treasurer of the local federation were detained and questioned while leaving the United States after the 2026 World Cup final in North America.

The federation issued a statement following media reports that its president, Claudio Tapia, and treasurer, Pablo Tavignino, were detained at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport before boarding the plane that carried the national team back to Argentina after its 1-0 extra-time loss to Spain in the final.

According to the reports, the two men were detained for questioning and their electronic devices were confiscated by U.S. authorities, before being summoned to appear in court regarding the federation’s international contracts. However, the Argentine federation’s statement denied all these allegations, describing them as “completely false.”

A source within the federation told AFP: “It’s all lies,” while the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) declined to comment.

The source clarified that he was “asked to appear before a grand jury and provide any documents and correspondence that might be related to a number of individuals, including officials” within the federation.

The Argentine federation, led by Tapia—one of the most prominent figures in world football since 2017—has been subject to several investigations in Argentina. One investigation focuses on allegations of money laundering, while another concerns tax evasion.

Under Tapia’s leadership, a former union leader, the federation’s relationship with the administration of far-right President Javier Milei has become strained. For example, Tapia strongly opposes the president’s desire to privatize clubs in the country.