AFA denies reports that the FBI seized Chiqui Tapia's phone

The federation rejects claims that its president is under investigation by U.S. authorities.

U.S. authorities have requested information regarding a U.S.-based company linked to the Argentine Football Association (AFA), a request that includes the federation's president, Claudio "Chiqui" Tapia, and treasurer Pablo Toviggino, according to local media reports on Wednesday.

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida has requested information as part of a preliminary investigation into TourProdEnter LLC, a company allegedly used by the AFA as its commercial representative outside Argentina. The request comes as Argentine courts are also investigating Tapia, Toviggino, and other AFA executives over the alleged misappropriation of funds.

Argentine outlets including Infobae and Clarín reported Wednesday that the FBI had seized cell phones and electronic devices belonging to several AFA officials before Argentina's delegation departed New York following Sunday's defeat in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final. The reports also claimed U.S. authorities had ordered the officials to appear in court on July 30.

However, Gregorio Dalbón, legal counsel for the AFA, provided EFE with an official statement from the federation denying those claims. The statement emphasized that the U.S. court's request for information is not directed at Tapia or any other AFA executive.

"It is absolutely false to claim that Claudio Tapia or Pablo Toviggino have been summoned to testify before U.S. authorities, just as it is false to state that their cell phones or any other electronic devices were seized," the AFA said in its statement.

The federation also urged media outlets to verify official documents before publishing reports.

"The Argentine Football Association urges media organizations and journalists to properly verify the content of legal documents before publishing claims that are not supported by them, reminding everyone that journalistic accuracy is an essential duty of responsible reporting," the statement added, referring to the initial reports published by Clarín and Infobae.

Shortly before the start of the World Cup, the Miami Herald reported that, following a review of banking and commercial records in the United States, approximately $40 million in AFA revenues had allegedly passed through TourProdEnter LLC to companies without an apparent commercial justification.

According to the newspaper, part of those funds was allegedly used by a South Florida couple linked to TourProdEnter to purchase four high-value residential properties between 2021 and 2025.

Possible money laundering or fraud

According to the Miami Herald, investigators are examining whether those transactions could constitute money laundering or bank fraud through the U.S. financial system.

Authorities are also investigating whether the funds were used for other expenses, including private jet and luxury yacht rentals, motorsports companies, and a business specializing in thoroughbred horse services.

Meanwhile, the investigation in Argentina alleges that TourProdEnter LLC, a company linked to theater producer Javier Faroni, served as the AFA's exclusive international commercial agent outside Argentina, handling sponsorship agreements, events, and the collection of overseas contracts.

For those services, the company reportedly received a 30% commission on generated revenue, plus an additional 10% for logistical operations.

Argentine prosecutors are also seeking to determine whether money from those contracts may be connected to the purchase of a $17 million property in Pilar, whose legal ownership is held by third parties but is suspected of having been acquired through intermediaries on behalf of Pablo Toviggino.