FBI seizes phones of Argentine Football Association president Tapia and other officials

Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia, the president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), along with other AFA executives, had their phones seized by the FBI before returning to Buenos Aires after a match. The operation occurred at New York's airport as part of a U.S. investigation into the financial mechanisms managing the AFA's international commercial contracts.

According to reports, the FBI is scrutinizing the financial structure used to administer these contracts, with a particular focus on a company named Tourprodenter. Tapia has been summoned to appear before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida to provide testimony and any available information related to Tourprodenter. This includes communications with other AFA officials implicated in the probe, such as Pablo Toviggino and Diego Lucero.

Tourprodenter, managed by Javier Faroni, is registered in Florida and serves as the AFA's exclusive commercial agent for sponsorships, friendly matches, and television rights. The investigation, reportedly initiated during the 2026 World Cup cycle, is examining financial movements potentially exceeding $300 million. Federal prosecutors specializing in economic and financial crimes are leading the inquiry.

An earlier step in the investigation involved questioning businessman Guillermo Tofoni, who has a legal dispute with the AFA and reportedly alerted authorities to the structure's operations. Tofoni met with investigators in Miami for over two hours to provide information and documentation concerning fund movements through U.S.-based banks and companies.