Professional football clubs in Argentina will go on strike from March 5 to 8. They say the action is a protest against what they call unfair legal pressure on Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia.
The decision came on Monday. On the same day, a judge called Tapia to testify on March 5. He faces claims that social security payments were not handled properly. The case began after a complaint from the government’s Customs Revenue and Control Agency, known as ARCA.
The league’s executive committee made the call by a unanimous vote. All first division matches and other league games will stop during the four day period. The AFA said this step is a protest against the complaint filed by ARCA.
Last Friday, Judge Diego Amarante also placed a travel ban on Tapia. He called four other officials to give statements in early March. The probe looks into unpaid social security contributions worth 19 billion pesos in 2024 and 2025.
Those asked to testify include AFA treasurer Pablo Toviggino, general secretary Cristian Malaspina, general director Gustavo Lorenzo, and former Racing Club president Victor Blanco. Blanco held a role in the AFA during the time under review.
The tax authority says the AFA did not deposit the withheld money within 30 days of the deadline. Because of this, the agency issued debt notices. The AFA rejected the claim. In a statement on Monday, it said the payments were made voluntarily and before the due date.
Shortly before the strike news, Judge Amarante allowed Tapia to travel abroad. He can visit Colombia and Brazil from February 23 to 28 for official events.
Tapia was invited by the Colombian Football Federation to attend an event in Barranquilla on Tuesday. He is also set to join a CONMEBOL council meeting in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday, where he serves as second vice president.
