The Argentine Football Association has denied reports that its president and treasurer were detained by United States authorities after the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.
The federation described the reports as completely false.
The claims said AFA president Claudio Tapia and treasurer Pablo Toviggino were stopped at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport before boarding the team’s flight home following Argentina’s defeat to Spain.
Reports also claimed the pair were questioned by US authorities, had their electronic devices taken and were ordered to appear in court over the federation’s international contracts.
However, the AFA rejected those claims in a statement.
The federation called the reports “absolutely false.”
An AFA source also told AFP, “All lies.”
The FBI did not comment on the matter.
The AFA did confirm that a US investigation is under way. However, it said the investigation is focused on a third party connected to the federation and not on Tapia or Toviggino.
According to the statement, a district court in Florida has asked that individual to appear before a grand jury.
The person has also been asked to provide documents and communications linked to several people, including AFA officials.
The Argentine federation is already facing several investigations in its home country.
One case is looking into alleged money laundering, while another is related to alleged tax evasion.
Claudio Tapia has led the AFA since 2017.
During his time as president, the federation’s relationship with the government of President Javier Milei has become increasingly tense.
Tapia has openly opposed Milei’s plan to allow the privatization of football clubs in Argentina.
