Tapia seeks to delay testimony in Miami lawsuit, requests confidentiality

Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia, the president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), is confronting an additional legal battle in Miami, separate from the Javier Faroni transfer scandal. VID Music Group has sued Tapia, alleging significant financial losses stemming from Lionel Messi's non-appearance in two friendly matches organized by the company last October.

The company asserts that the absence of Messi from the first match against Venezuela resulted in substantial losses, a situation they claim was guaranteed by contract. This lawsuit gained momentum only after the World Cup concluded. Lawyers representing the plaintiffs have been pushing for Tapia to testify before the 11th Judicial Circuit Court of Miami-Dade, Florida, regarding the alleged breach of contract.

Tapia's defense attorneys argue that a motion to dismiss is pending and that the discovery phase has just begun. They contend that the plaintiff failed to make a required $5 million payment stipulated in the June 2026 contract, which they claim gave the AFA the right to terminate the agreement. A potential deposition date of September 2nd is being discussed.

Tapia's legal team in Miami has requested that if an interrogation proceeds, it should be limited to his personal knowledge of the October 2025 and June 2026 contracts. They also demanded that the deposition not be video-recorded, or alternatively, that any recording and transcript be designated as confidential and used solely for this case, without being disclosed to the press or submitted in foreign proceedings without a court order.

The lawsuit, a civil matter, is connected to the two friendly matches the Argentine national team played in October. During that period, the team faced Venezuela, winning 1-0, and Puerto Rico, winning 6-0. The core of the dispute lies in the company's demand for Messi's presence in both games to ensure ticket sales. Clause 1.2 of the contract, now referred to as the “Messi clause,” stipulated that his participation was an essential condition of the contract and a primary reason for its execution. Messi's absence was only justifiable with a medical certificate, a FIFA or CONMEBOL suspension, or a force majeure event. None of these conditions were met. Messi watched the first game from the stands and the following day participated in an Inter Miami match against Atlanta in the MLS.