AFAs Tapia defiant amid accusations of favoritism and corruption in football

Argentine Football Association president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia warned he has “many more years to go” as the head of the governing body, in a defiant speech he gave amid an ongoing controversy regarding favouritism and corruption in football. Tapia has been in the spotlight over allegations that the AFA benefits some clubs over others. In the latest scandal, Rosario Central was awarded a controversial new trophy for finishing first in the annual table, while rivals Estudiantes de la Plata faced potential sanctions for turning their backs during a salute they were ordered to do in honor of their opponents. The snub was celebrated by President Javier Milei, who in the past clashed with Tapia over government proposals to privatize football clubs — something only Estudiantes backed at the time. During a speech given after he received an award for his leadership, Tapia shot back at his critics. “This isn’t the first time we’ve experienced this. Three presidents have come and gone in the nine years I’ve been in office, and I have many more years to go,” he warned during his closing speech at the Alumni Awards ceremony, where he was bestowed with the platinum award. The prizes, given out by the Argentine Football Directors and Former Directors Committee, honor directors, players, coaches, and other figures linked to the sport. “Have no doubt that when my term expires, those who want to run will have the opportunity to do so,” Tapia added, in reference to allegations against him and other football authorities accused of clinging to power. Tapia was reelected in October 2024 after running unopposed, extending his AFA tenure until 2028. “Fights are fought from the inside, not the outside. We all know there’s a lot to improve,” he said, while also taking a jab at Estudiantes president Juan Sebastián Verón for “forgetting [his team] was nearly out and is now fighting for the title.”  “I’m chosen by Argentine football’s directors, not those on the outside,” he stated. Lower league teams back Tapia Tapia’s speech came after he was backed by several clubs in the Argentine lower leagues.  Earlier on Wednesday, clubs like Deportivo Madryn, Atlanta, Nueva Chicago, All Boys and Quilmes issued statements on their X accounts, backing the AFA president and condemning the media backlash. “Do we identify with the AFA’s federal-minded work? Of course we do, because now more than ever the country’s leagues are packed with teams from every province,” Deportivo Madryn wrote, condemning “large media corporations who are constantly on the attack” and “know nothing of the work that’s being done but talk and kick someone while they’re down.” Madryn’s statement was echoed throughout the lower leagues, with Atlanta praising the AFA’s “institutional strengthening, development of all categories, and defense of the clubs’ social role” during Tapia’s tenure.  Quilmes also lamented the “attempts to undermine the [AFA’s] autonomy” and pledged to “defend the institution and internal democracy that governs football’s world champion.” Plenty of other clubs from Argentina’s second and lower divisions, such as Defensores de Belgrano, Tristán Suárez, Los Andes, Berazategui and Excursionistas, also released similar statements. However, first division clubs remained silent. In addition to the Estudiantes-Rosario Central scandal, Tapia has been accused of favoring certain clubs, including one he presided over in the past, Barracas Central  — now led by his son — which has benefited from controversial referee decisions.