The Argentine Football Association (AFA) is at the center of a major scandal involving the transfer of funds abroad. An investigation has uncovered a complex scheme involving at least six 'payment collection agents' overseas. At the heart of this structure is Fabián Marcelo Ramón Saracco, a close associate of AFA's treasurer, Pablo Ariel Toviggino. AFA frequently changed its 'payment collection agents,' which allowed it to create 'bridges' for international payments with high commissions and a lack of transparency. A key turning point came on December 7, 2021, when contracts with Odeoma Gestión SL, Q22 Services Limited, and Stratega Group were 'mutually agreed' to be terminated. These firms, which had little real operational activity but significant capital movement, were connected to other companies in the circuit, including Global FC LLC and TourProdEnter LLC. A key sponsor, Socios.com, led by Alexandre Dreyfus, decided to halt payments through intermediaries and demanded that transfers be made directly to the AFA, with a clear warning against using offshore entities or third parties. The scheme, according to the documents, was designed to obscure the ultimate beneficial owners, using jurisdictions like Delaware (USA) and Malta. The total amount in commissions received by the network linked to Saracco is estimated to be at least $50.14 million. For the world of football, this is not just a financial blow, but also a significant hit to its reputation and international trust.
