The Argentine Football Association (AFA) is under investigation by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) over allegations of money laundering, wire fraud and tax evasion involving up to $300 million routed through the United States.
According to multiple reports, the investigation, which began in 2025, is examining whether hundreds of millions of dollars linked to the AFA’s commercial operations were transferred through U.S. banks and a Florida-based company, TourProdEnter LLC, in transactions that may have violated U.S. financial laws. Authorities are reportedly reviewing sponsorship agreements, media rights deals and other international commercial contracts.
Federal agents in Washington and Miami have interviewed witnesses, including Argentine sports businessman Guillermo Tofoni, as part of efforts to determine how the funds were structured and whether any criminal activity took place. Investigators are also examining the relationship between the AFA and TourProdEnter LLC, which reportedly managed several of the federation’s overseas commercial agreements.
Despite the high-profile probe, no criminal charges have been filed against the AFA or its president, Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia. U.S. authorities have not publicly accused the federation of wrongdoing, and the investigation remains in its preliminary stages. The AFA has yet to issue a detailed response to the latest reports.
The investigation comes as Argentina continues its FIFA World Cup campaign, with Lionel Messi and his teammates preparing for a quarter-final clash against Switzerland after their dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt. While the controversy has cast a shadow over the defending champions, there is currently no indication that the investigation affects Argentina’s participation in the tournament.
The case has reignited memories of previous football corruption scandals and is expected to attract significant international attention as U.S. investigators continue reviewing financial records and interviewing witnesses. For now, the focus remains on gathering evidence, with any potential legal action depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
