BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Professional football clubs in Argentina have announced plans to hold a strike from March 5 to 8, protesting what they perceive as judicial harassment against Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia.
This strike was declared on Monday following a judge’s order summoning Tapia to appear in court on March 5, where he faces allegations of misusing social security contributions.
The investigation originated from a complaint filed by the government’s Customs Revenue and Control Agency (ARCA).
The executive committee of the professional league has unanimously decided to halt all first division matches and league games from March 5 to 8 “in protest against the complaint lodged by ARCA,” as stated in an official announcement from the AFA.
On Friday, Judge Diego Amarante issued a travel restriction for Tapia and summoned four additional officials for questioning in an investigation concerning the alleged non-payment of social security contributions amounting to 19 billion pesos (approximately $13 million) for the years 2024 and 2025.
The other officials required to testify in the same investigation include AFA treasurer Pablo Toviggino, general secretary Cristian Malaspina, general director Gustavo Lorenzo, and former Racing Club president Víctor Blanco, who was affiliated with the organization during the timeframe under scrutiny.
The tax authority’s complaint alleges that the AFA failed to deposit withheld contributions within 30 days of the due date, resulting in the issuance of relevant debt notices from the tax collection agency. However, the AFA has denied these claims, asserting in a press release on Monday that “the voluntary payment of these tax obligations was fulfilled before their deadlines.”
Shortly before the strike announcement, Judge Amarante granted Tapia permission to travel to Colombia and Brazil from Feb. 23 to 28 for official duties.
Tapia has been invited by the Colombian Football Federation to attend an official event in Barranquilla on Tuesday, and he is also scheduled to participate in a CONMEBOL council meeting on Thursday in Rio de Janeiro, where he serves as the second vice president.