Fraud investigation opened against Argentina Football Association — reports
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is currently investigating Argentina’s Football Association (AFA) for financial crimes, according to reports from US and Latin media.
Prosecutors in Florida are alleging money laundering, wire fraud and tax evasion as they comb through US $300 million in transactions tied to the commercial operations of the association, Miami New Times reported Wednesday.
TourProdEnter LLC, a US company that handles the AFA’s affairs, is also under investigation, it indicated.
The investigation concerns the company and the millions of dollars it collected and managed for the AFA, headed by President Claudio Tapia, from international commercial contracts.
Citing Argentine newspaper La Nación, the report said investigators are looking at whether transactions moving through the US financial system—including sponsorship payments from companies such as Adidas and Warner Bros Discovery—could be criminal, citing potential money laundering and other financial crimes.
The Daily Star, also referencing La Nación, said TourProdEnter LLC handled at least US$260 million for the AFA, and approximately US$57 million had been distributed to different beneficiaries and other companies “without any apparent economic justification.”
The report went on to claim that millions were wired to companies controlled by individuals in Argentina which appeared to provide no identifiable services.
Neither the AFA nor TourProdEnter LLC has publicly responded to the latest allegations.