Argentine justice has rejected a new request from Claudio Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), to leave the country. This marks another setback for the head of the regulatory body, who had planned to travel to Venezuela between February 28 and March 3 to attend the inauguration of the Venezuelan Football Federation in Barquisimeto. Judge Diego Amarante had previously authorized Tapia's trip to Colombia and Brazil despite his indictment for alleged money laundering and embezzlement of funds. However, the same magistrate denied a request to extend the trip to fly from Rio de Janeiro to Caracas. Tapia and AFA Treasurer Pablo Toviggino were summoned to testify on March 5, but they have petitioned for the nullity of that measure. Additionally, the General Inspectorate of Justice (IGJ) responded to Claudio Tapia, stating that the AFA remains under its jurisdiction, as the move of its headquarters to Pilar did not meet the legal requirements. The head of the body, Daniel Vítolo, described the AFA's statement as 'pathetic' and defended the request for auditors to review accounting, financial, and contractual documentation. He explained that the entity never cancelled its registration with the IGJ, a necessary condition to change its scope of control.
