FBI investigates Argentine Football Association over alleged money laundering
The FBI has not publicly commented on the reported investigation, and no formal charges related to the alleged money laundering have been announced.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an investigation into the Argentine Football Association's (AFA) financial activities in the United States over allegations of possible money laundering, according to a report by Argentine daily La Nacion.
The report said investigators are examining how the AFA, headed by president Claudio Tapia, transferred funds through the US financial system and whether any criminal activity was involved.
The investigation comes amid heightened scrutiny of Argentine football following the country's controversial 3-2 victory over Egypt in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, a match that drew criticism over several refereeing decisions.
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According to La Nacion, Florida-based TourProdEnter LLC, which reportedly manages the AFA's financial operations abroad, is also under investigation.
The newspaper claimed that documents it reviewed showed TourProdEnter LLC handled at least US$260 million in AFA revenue through accounts at five US financial institutions — Citibank, Synovus, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and PNC Bank.
While part of the funds could be linked to identifiable operating expenses, the report alleged that approximately US$57 million was transferred to various companies and beneficiaries without any apparent economic justification.
It further claimed that tens of millions of dollars were wired to companies that appeared to provide no identifiable services and were controlled by individuals who, according to official records cited by the newspaper, received social welfare benefits and lived in Bariloche or Buenos Aires.
The FBI has not publicly commented on the reported investigation, and no formal charges related to the alleged money laundering have been announced.
Tapia has previously faced legal and political scrutiny. In March, he was charged with tax evasion and has also been involved in an ongoing dispute with Argentine President Javier Milei over the ownership structure of the country's football clubs.
Neither the AFA nor TourProdEnter LLC has publicly responded to the latest allegations.
