Tapia, Toviggino, and AFA indicted for tax evasion

Argentina's tax authority has confirmed the indictments of Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), and treasurer Pablo Ariel Toviggino. The AFA itself has also been indicted in a case concerning the alleged retention of social security contributions and taxes.

The charges stem from the failure to pay over 19 billion pesos (approximately $55 million USD) in taxes and employer contributions. The complaint was initially filed by the Tax Collection and Control Agency (ARCA). The indictments, confirmed by appellate judges Roberto Hornos and Carolina Robiglio, were originally issued by federal economic crimes judge Diego Amarante. He found evidence of the crime of misappropriation of taxes, aggravated and repeated 34 times, along with misappropriation of social security resources, aggravated and repeated 17 times.

Tapia is currently in the United States leading Argentina's delegation at the World Cup, having received judicial authorization to travel. Toviggino reportedly remains in Argentina. While this confirmation of indictments does not immediately alter their current status, it brings the case significantly closer to a potential oral trial. The appellate court declared the appeals from Tapia and the AFA deserted due to procedural issues, effectively finalizing their indictments.

Indictments against former AFA secretaries Cristian Malaspina and Víctor Blanco, as well as Gustavo Lorenzo, were revoked as premature. The court requested further investigation into their cases. The AFA has previously denied the accusations, stating that voluntary tax payments were made before their due dates.