The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has reportedly opened an investigation into the Argentine Football Association (AFA) over allegations of possible money laundering involving financial transactions carried out through the US banking system.
According to Argentine newspaper La Nacion, investigators are examining how the AFA transferred funds through banks in the United States and whether any of those transactions breached American financial laws.
The report says the inquiry is focused on financial activities linked to the governing body, which is led by its president, Claudio Tapia.
The reported investigation comes at a time when Argentine football has been under increased public attention following the national team’s controversial 3-2 victory over Egypt in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16.
The match attracted widespread debate after several refereeing decisions were questioned, although there is no indication that the FBI inquiry is connected to the result.
La Nacion reported that Florida-based TourProdEnter LLC, a company said to oversee the AFA’s financial operations outside Argentina, is also being examined as part of the investigation.
The newspaper claimed that documents it reviewed showed TourProdEnter LLC managed at least US$260 million in AFA revenue through accounts held at five major US banks: Citibank, Synovus, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and PNC Bank.
According to the report, investigators are reviewing a number of transactions, including around US$57 million that was allegedly transferred to several companies and beneficiaries without a clear commercial purpose.
The newspaper further alleged that tens of millions of dollars were sent to businesses that appeared to provide no identifiable services.
According to the report, the company processed around US$260 million in revenue linked to the Argentine Football Association, although only a portion of those funds could be matched to identifiable operational expenses.
It also alleged that approximately US$57 million was transferred to various companies and individuals without any apparent commercial justification.
Some of the recipients were reportedly connected to people who, according to official records cited by the newspaper, received social welfare benefits and lived in either Bariloche or Buenos Aires.
It claimed those firms were controlled by individuals who, based on official records it cited, received social welfare payments and lived in either Bariloche or Buenos Aires.
The FBI has not publicly confirmed the reported investigation, and no criminal charges related to the alleged money laundering have been announced.
Tapia has previously faced legal and political challenges.
In March, he was charged with tax evasion and has also been involved in a long-running dispute with Argentine President Javier Milei over proposals concerning the ownership structure of football clubs in Argentina.
Neither the Argentine Football Association nor TourProdEnter LLC has issued a public response to the latest allegations. As US authorities have not formally confirmed the investigation, La Nacion's claims remain unproven.
