AFA president Claudio Tapia appears in court: We complied with what the judge ordered

Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia appeared in front of the court on Thursday after he was summoned for questioning on the Customs Collection and Control Agency (ARCA, in Spanish) complaint against AFA. According to ARCA, the AFA failed to deposit tax withholdings and social security contributions for more than AR$19,350 trillion (just over US$13 billion). “We complied with what the judge ordered, with what we were summoned for,” said Tapia after exiting the court. The AFA boss did not take questions from the press and quickly rushed out of the area. Tapia arrived at the courthouse shortly before 11 a.m., accompanied by his lawyers and security guards. He was there for just under an hour and a half, during which, according to Argentine outlet TN, he did not agree to take questions from the judge — which he’s entitled to do under Argentine law — and instead filed a document containing his statement. Tapia wasn’t the only AFA top brass to be summoned this week. AFA treasurer and Tapia right-hand man Pablo Toviggino was in the courthouse on Wednesday, as were before him current AFA general secretary Cristian Malaspina and his predecessor Víctor Blanco.  “We want the Finalissima at River” Tapia’s most fiery statement had nothing to do with the case, as he insisted he’ll work to have the 2026 Finalissima played in Argentina. “We are going to get to work now, because Spain wants the Finalissima to be played in Spain, and I want it to be played at [River Plate’s stadium] the Monumental,” he told the press shortly before leaving the courthouse. The tournament has been at the center of debates after the conflict in the Middle East recently escalated. The tournament, scheduled to take place on March 27 at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar, faces serious doubts about its feasibility there. The Qatar Football Association announced on March 1 the postponement of all tournaments, competitions, and matches — along with all other sporting activities in the country — but has since resumed activities. The tournament, sometimes called the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions, sees the South American and European continental champions face off in a single match.  The 2026 matchup has generated great anticipation, as 2024 Copa América winners Argentina and 2024 European Championship champion Spain are among the biggest candidates to win this year’s World Cup. It was initially expected to be played between June and July 2025, but it was postponed several times as both teams already had competitions scheduled.